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SCIENCES
6" HAUS
5
ADVISORY COMM
CHARLES A. BLAKE.
_ Puivip P. (CALVERT.
nic Entomologists -
~ Colle ing in Pennsylvania .
~ Collecting by Lamplight . . 69, 91
i P “Doings of Societies 3I, 48, 63, 79
115, 135 150% 167-.
= ta ntomology 70, 86, 102,
57-
rical Literature 13, 29, 44,
7, 95, 112, 131, 147, 162.
nology at Longport, N. J. 142
cursic ‘to Jamesburg . 94, 111
>-made Cork .: 12
‘ter to Editor ay 27
oD tallic Colors in Insects, nara
lution of ia o% a? 3
- and News 10, 26, 4I, 57 74,
» 110, 128, 145, 160.
2s from Colorado . 75
1a) . 146
phia’s 5 White Pathe II
»s and Answers 62
atific Research in Mexico. 41
carried off by Pompi-
See . 128, 145
_ Spider’s Web, ‘balls of 44
Whistling Trees . . 28
COLEOPTERA.
57
cinclus 58
. idze of a season . 158
’ Siautes on 53
pasty: Sspiculatus 161
Fond of Grammar 38
Jewels that are Alive . 28
_ Notes on Coleoptera . 9, 52
Notes from the Northwest . 33
oh the Habits of some Meloini 89
alone punctatus 12
— on the N. J. coast 12
, Ont., Beetles at 43
INDEX TO VOLUME I.
DIPTERA.
- Interesting Method of Egg De-
position .... . 39
_ Mosquitoes at Cape May . 128
Mosquitoes, Exterminating . 76
s HEMIPTERA.
Acanthia papistriliain the nests
of Barn Swallows : 26
Apple Pest, a new . mee
Empoasca birdii n. sp. 19
Metrobates hesperius . ae 6 (0)
Siphonophora or Nectarophora? 20
Timothy Bugs . 75
HYMENOPTERA.
Aculeate Hymenoptera new to
Pennsylvania and N. Jersey. 83
Bombus, notes on . Ae ee, |
Dolerus arvensis, D. unicolor. 94
Ichneumon suturalis . SGI
Inhabitants of a Hickory Nut. 49
New Hymenoptera 106, 137
Celioxys dolichos . . 107
Hoplisus foveolata . . 106
Miscophus americanus . 138-
Philanthus eurynome . . 107
Photopsis Cressoni . 2k, 138
Sphex (Isodontia) macro-
cephalus . 137
Oviposition of itriaion . 139
Pimpla grapholithe n. sp. 50
Polybia cubensis in Florida... 93
@ethiops catching a
se 128
mitiiidee carrying off Spiders 145
Spain Venation 88
Vespa wulgaris. . . . 161
W at are the Uses of Bright
lors in Hymenoptera . 65
Yucca Insects 75
| LEPIDOPTERA.
Actias luna . £,976;.93
Aletia argillacea . . 154
Bananas as Bait 93, 129
ashe)
ii
Bite of Caterpillar as Cause of
Death . 146
Butterflies found at icipe May’. 6
Butterflies on Ixtaccihuatl . . 111
Butterfly bathing . 130
Cabinet, A new form of . . 126
Callosamia angulifera . 58, 146
Canonympha eggs 75
Charaxes athamas 93
Coliasinterior’. . 43
Colias philodice var. ste p 93, 130
Coloradia pandora, \arva of . 145
Datana contracta, preparatory
stages of . 144
Erebia discoidalis . po eraG
Erebia epipsodea a: See
Geographical Variation . 84
Glanville Fritillary 75
Gortyna nitella, larva of . 136
Hesperidz, New African . 155
Proteides margaritata . 155
P. iricolor . . 156
P. laterculus . f . 156
Hesperidz, North picavicen ar
Hop Worms. ;? +
Larve rearing, Somer giperi-
ences in. 108, 117
Lepidoptera New to Our Lists. 105
May Moths in New Hampshire 17
Neonympha Mitchelli in N. J. . 129
Notes on Lepidoptera 51
Papilio macleyanus . 130
Papilio palamedes . . . Te
Pamphila Aaronin. sp.. . 6, 128
Pamphila panoquin . TE
Phobetron pithecium . : 160
Random Notes on Lepidoptera 19
Smerinthus astylus 21
Swarm of Butterflies . . 10
Teinopalpus imperialis . 57
Terias nicippe . . 129
Tropical species in Plarida . . 153
What can it be? 124
Winter Collecting in Florida Sr, 1O1
NEUROPTERA.
Dragonflies at Night . . 146
INDEX.
List of Maine Dragonflies . 36, 38
Notes on N. Am. Odonata. . 73
Virginian Dragonflies . . . 22
CONTRIBUTORS TO VOL. I.
Aaron, E. M., . I, 12-15, 23, 29, 30
Sa » aes 6
Ballard, Mrs. J. P., . aca.
Beutenmiiller, W.,. . . 58, 144
Blake, C. A.., ae 44, 58, 127, 1 136.
Bunker, R., . 108, 117
Calvert, P. P.,. . 14, 22, 70, 73, 86,
102, 119, 140, 157
Cockerell, T. D. A., 3, 27, 58, 65,
75) 161
meeiey, A.B... «>. es ee
meeason, E. T.,.. 2.) See
Dyar, H. G., . 105, 160
Ehrman,G.A., . . . «93, 130
Fox, W.J., . 83, 93, 106, 137, 145
meeech, G. H., ... +, See
Gillette, Prof. C. P., 26, 94, 139, 161
Goding, F. W., . 123, 129
Hamilton, Dr. J., 12, 49, 142
Hill, W.M.,: . ,.; << ee
Holland, Rev: W. Hy : 155
Horn, Dr. G. H., 9, 53; is: 99, 160
eS Re 39
Kellicott, D. Sy ae ae
fomes, F.M., . -.- Sg
Kunze, Dr. R., . aha
Liebeck, C., . . « 32a tse
Lugger, Prof.O.,. . . +. + 38
Lyman, H. H.,. . 146
Martindale, I. C., a ae
Peters, E. D. jr., . - = Seas
Robertson, C., . a
Slosson, Mrs. A. T., 17, 81, 101
Skinner, Dr. H., 6, 10, 11, 12, Gis,
31, 51, 58, 76, 84, 129
Smith, Prof. J. B., .
Summers, Prof. H. E..,
Van Winkle, A. S.,
Wadsworth, Miss M.,
Weed, Dr. C. M.,
Wickham, H. F., :
Williston, Prof. S. W.,
99, 145
«280
a an
aie
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. I. JANUARY, 1890. No. 1.
CONTENTS:
Announcement : 1 | Notes and News : 10
Cockerell—On. Metallic Colors..........0+. 3 | Entomological Literature..............0..06 13
Skinner—On Collecting at Cape May... 6 | ExchangeS...cssssecssessssseeresrscesescssvenseess 16
Horn—Notes on Coleoptera.......sesssseees 9
ANNOUNCEMENT.
It has for some time been apparent to Entomologists in this
country that there was unoccupied room for a journal of Ento-
mology devoted less to the dry details of descriptive and classi-
ficatory work and more to the news and gossip which is always of
interest to entomological workers. The field of descriptive en-
tomology is already well filled by journals published in Brooklyn,
N. Y., and London, Ontario; that of economic entomology by
a government publication at Washington, and the bibliographic
department has received special attention at Cambridge, Mass.
None of these journals allude systematically to the important
work always in progress in Europe and elsewhere, nor do they
by any means regularly notice such work appearing here from
time to time. News of this sort is of great value to the student
of Entomology even if he is near one of the large libraries; to
those remote from these centres of information it can not fail to
be of the utmost importance. A journal which will keep ento-
I
2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Jan.
mologists en rapport with what is being accomplished in serials
and by monographs at home and abroad, and which will also give
the items of interesting news concerning explorations and ex-
plorers, collections and collectors, will, it is believed, win its way
into the good graces of the insect collecting fraternity. Such a
journal is only possible where its conductors are in close com-
munication with the literature of Entomology and the sister
sciences. Philadelphia, the possessor of the public libraries of
the Academy of Natural Sciences, the American Entomological
Society and the American Philosophical Society and several
private libraries rich in works on special branches of Entomology,
is generally conceded to occupy a position in this field unrivaled
in America.
With this in view the Entomological Section of the Academy
of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, with the co-operation and
financial aid of the American Entomological Society, have de-
cided to publish, beginning with this number, a journal to ap-
pear about the 1st of each month, July and August excepted,
under the editorial and advisory direction set forth on the cover.
Besides such scientific papers as will naturally appear in a journal
published under these auspices, there will be departments of
““ Notes and News,’’ ‘‘Queries and Answers,’’ ‘‘ Exchange,”’
“* Doings of Societies,’’ etc. Under the first it will be the object
of its conductors to make ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws deserve its
name in the widest sense. Under the second, so far as may be
possible, insects sent for determination will be named by members
‘of the Section and the results announced therein. The depart-
ment of ‘‘ Exchange’ will be free to all under reasonable restric-
tions. And, finally, it will be the aim to give a brief résumé of
the proceedings of the various Entomological Societies throughout
the world. :
With liberal patronage and support from the Entomologists of
America and elsewhere, it is intended that ENTOMOLOGICAL
News shall grow into an important factor in every entomolo-
gist’s work. It will be enlarged, and its scope modified or
increased, as its readers may seem to demand. This issue will
give but a faint idea of what it is proposed shall be the scope of
ENTOMOLOGICAL News. Its conductors will be glad to receive
from its readers, at any time, criticisms of its work and suggestions
for its improvement.
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 3
Scientific papers, news-notes, reports of societies, etc., are
needed from all sources to make this journal just what its name
implies, a compend of entomological news.
EuGENE M. AARON.
The Evolution of Metallic Colors in Insects.
BY T. D. A. COCKERELL.
Metallic coloring in insects cannot be a very recent develop-
ment, for we have good evidence that it existed in later Eocene
or Miocene times, a Chryszs having been discovered in the Flo-
rissant fossil-beds in Colorado. Nevertheless, probably no one
would propose that the earliest insects, even of the orders now
presenting metallic species in abundance were metallic. There
seems to be a graduated series of colors, following in nearly direct
sequence, and of these the metallic ones are by no means the
first, nor do they occur predominatingly on those parts of the
insect which we might suppose least specialized as regards colors.
For the present we may consider the Coleoptera and Hymen-
optera alone, because in color these orders are specially related,
and form a section apart from all other insects. The primitive
color is probably ¢esfaceous, with variations to rufous, orange and
yellow. The legs and under parts are often so colored where the
upper parts are darker or metallic. Pale legs not unfrequently
have dark joints, and this may be related to stimuli due to the
motion of the parts. Pimpla conquisitor well illustrates the dark-
ening about the joints, as well as the difference between the color
of legs and-body. Sometimes, however, these conditions are
reversed, as in pio coloradensis, which is a reddish orange species
with the legs mainly black.
From testaceous there is variation to dark brown of various
shades—rufous-brown and black. It has been noticed how often
phytophagous, and especially wood-eating beetles are brown, and
there is good reason to suppose that tannin has influenced their
color. Mr. Slater (Ent. Mo. Mag. 1887, p. 72) remarks on the
presence of tannin in the tissues of phytophagous beetles, and M.
Villon (Atheneum, 1887, p. 787) found tannin in corn-weevils.
The non-metallic series of colors, then is something like this :
4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Jan.
pale rufous, testaceous, orange or yellow,* through browns and
rufous-browns to dark brown and black. The body is often darker
than the legs, and the elytra of beetles are often darker than the
thorax, though the reverse of this latter condition occurs in Coc-
cinella, Lacnea, Dermestes, etc.
Metallic colors seem to have their beginning at either end of
the series, but it would seem that, whereas testaceous insects vary
to metallic yellows and yellowish greens, black insects vary to blue.
If black is highest in the non-metallic series, so we might expect
that blue, to which it varies, would be higher than yellow or green
in the metallic series, and this, I believe, is precisely the case.
Harpalus eneus is sometimes dull and sometimes metallic green,
or coppery. The green form, being the commonest, is regarded
as the type, but no doubt the dull variety is the oldest, and the
green the newest, or highest. The dull forms, then, are atavisms.
The same sort of thing occurs in Meligethes rufipes, and a speci-
men was even found (Ent. Mo. Mag. 1885, p. 217) with one ely-
tron dull reddish, and the other with a slight greenish metallic
tinge. This case of partial or unilateral atavism is not unique.
I have recorded a parallel case, though not relating to metallic
colors, in Dermestes fasciatus (Entom. 1889, p. 119).
Trirhabda convergens has a variety which I call vivescens,
common at West Cliff, Col., in which the elytra, except a yellow
costal or outer border, are rather dull metallic green. Here we
see the tendency of the edges of the elytra to keep the original
color, a very common thing with many beetles, and often a fixed
specific character.
Dark species in the genus Lougifarsus sometimes tend to be-
come bronzed. Cvrepidodera longula, as described by Dr. Horn,
is rufo-testaceous, with a greenish lustre. These are the beginnings
of metallic colors at the lower end of the series. The paler the
non-metallic form, the yellower its metallic variety, and herel am ~
assuming that all metallic forms were once varieties.
In Haltica we have beautiful series of variations and changes
from metallic golden to blue. From the distribution given
by Dr. Horn (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1889, p. 219, ef seg.) it
would appear that golden, green and bronzy forms are more
* And the yellow varying and changing, as it does throughout organic
nature, to scarlet, but this is beside our present purpose.
cenit ath teen: el At aianetenaiiee teaming:
aes
= eer:
Bae
3
1890. | _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 5
\p e -
E prevalent in the mountains and to the north, while blue is a south-
‘ern characteristic. This, however, isnot an invariable rule. In
iy Hi. ignita there is a regular geographical sequence southward from
ft" golden through green to blue. The cupreous and greenish varie-
ties of H. chalybea mentioned by Dr. Horn I regard as atavisms.
Here, though, it becomes necessary to define one’s notion of
atavism. Commonly, it is said to be reversion to the state of an
ancient progenitor. Some confine it to the development of half-
forgotten rudiments, but to me this seems an unwise restriction.
To me there are two fundamentally different kinds of atavism :
_ (1) Due to the development of structures now obsolete.
e- (2) Due to arrest of development and consequent resemblance
- to a less-developed or differentiated ancestor.
The first class is due to abnormal development, the second to
abnormal arrest of development—two very different things. . Our
atavistic green Haltica chalybea clearly belongs to the second
division. The first division is exemplified in a horse that develops
_ extra toes.
Mr. T. H. Hall gives me a list of his varieties of Donacia
sericea. The females are coppery, brassy and green. The males
are green, violet and purple. Here we see in the female the older
type of coloration to what obtains in some butterflies and other
insects.
At Chislehurst, in England, I collected two species of metallic
Chrysomele. C. gettingensis, which lived concealed at the roots
of herbage, was dark blue. C. hyperic’, on Hypericum, and
more exposed, is green. Here seems protective adaptation to
circumstances ; or perhaps we may say that C. hyperici would
have developed in time to blue, but natural selection prevented it.
C. gettingensis has beautifully pink wings, but these need not be
considered in the present connection.
Dr. Hamilton found a variety of Calosoma wilcoxi, varying
from its normal green and golden to purple-black, with the mar-
gins of thorax and elytra purple-blue. Possibly this was a token
of the future color of C. welcoxi. In Carabus we have C. nitens
with something the color of Cad. wilcoxi, and the coloring of
Dr. Hamilton’s variety is a permanent institution in C. véolaceus.
A. Bergé found he could actually manipulate these color changes
in Carabus by chemical means, and produce certain “ varieties’’
at will.
8 LK pe EN mF:
6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. , [ Jan.
Metallic-blue grades into black. Pecilus mauritanicus looks
black, but shines a brilliant blue-green. Perilampus cyaneus is
blue, but P. Aya/inus, in the same genus, is black.
Perhaps a still higher development in the metallic series is crim-
son. This color appears prominently in some lovely species of
the genus Chrysis in Europe, especially the common C. ignifa.
In America nearly all the species of Chrysis are blue or green,
but C. martia has the abdomen crimson. This preponderance
of green and blue in American Chrysides is in accordance with
the not-rarely observed fact that where a genus is common to
Europe and America, the American forms are the oldest. But
in Cantharis, the common European species is green, while in
America we see crimson appearing on the elytra; the thorax, as
in Chrysis, remaining green.
WEsT CLIFF, CUSTER Co., CoL., Dec. 9, 1889.
Ly)
Vv
Notes on Butterflies found at Cape May, N. J., with
description of a new species of Pamphila.
BY HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
Pamphila Aaroni n. sp.—Antenne, head, thorax and abdo-
men very dark brown, almost black. Primaries above tawny with
blackish brown border about one-eighth inch in width. The base
of the wing is shaded a darker color by the same dusky scales.
The nerves of the primaries are not defined by the dark color as
in hobomok. The tawny middle area of the wings is darker and
more fiery than in the latter. The discal bar or dash is black and
very distinct and well defined, although quite small in most of the
specimens; running from this obliquely toward the body to the
interior margin is a broken, very faint line. Secondaries are a
practical reproduction of the primaries, the only difference being
that the dark border encircles the entire wing, but is narrower
on the anterior margin, and the neuration is well defined.
Underside.—Extending from the thorax into the wing for about
one-eighth inch and covering only the lower half of the base is a
sharply defined black spot, which has a pointed projection ex-
tending into the third median interspace. The middle area of
the wing is tawny, but some shades lighter than the upperside.
The border is about the same width as above along the lower half
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 7
of the exterior margin, but widens considerably as it approaches
the apex; this border and the immaculate secondaries are of a
light cinnamon-brown color. There is a brownish black streak
running along the interior margin of underside of primaries.
The female is larger and the colors of a lighter shade and not as
well defined as in the male. On the upperside it resembles ?.
hobomok, and beneath P. delaware, except in color. Largest
specimen 9 expands 1¥% inch. and the smallest $ 1 inch. De-
scribed from 7 8 $ 1 9. It is no more than proper that Mr.
Aaron should have one of his pets called after him, thus the name
emanated. The specimens were found in company with P. pano-
quin, feeding on the flowers of Statice limonium var. America-
num, which grows in the salt meadows, but was quite rare and
exceedingly wild and difficult to capture, making off in a straight
line when any movement was made near it. The seven specimens
represented about ten days careful collecting.
THE LIMITED RANGE OF SATYRUS ALOPE.
Without having given the subject any thought or study I had
been under the impression that the greater number of species of
butterflies had no fixed abode or dwelling-place, but were prac-
tically unrestricted in their range, going here, there and every-
where in search of food or pleasure. While on a tramp one day
and only incidentally looking for insects, not having my net with
me, I saw fluttering in and around a small clump of holly bushes a
beautiful specimen of Satyrus alope, which evidently had only
been a short time from the chrysalis; it alighted, and I endeav-
ored to secure it by taking hold of the tips of the wings between
the thumb and index finger, when it violently flapped them and
left the tips as a souvenir. This spot and its neighborhood
proved an excellent collecting-ground, and I subsequently visited
it frequently, and each time saw the same a/ofe in the same clump
of bushes. I saw other specimens of the same species here
which I learned to recognize from peculiarities in the way they
were rubbed, etc., as most of the specimens at this time were
badly flown. I made this species the subject of some study at
the time, and came to the conclusion that it undergoes its trans-
formations and lives its entire life in a very restricted area. A
form with one ocellus is found at Cape May, which Mr. Edwards
thinks is not pega/a, but a variety of alope.
8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Jan.
EGG-LAYING OF TERIAS LISA.
The female Zerias /isa deposits its eggs in a very systematic
and uniform manner. It moves about in a fluttering way so
characteristic of butterflies when ovipositing, and lights on. the
tip of the leaf Cassia nictitans, facing toward the stalk of the
plant and walks up the leat until the end of the abdomen is mid-
way between the end of the leaf and its junction with the main
stem and then deposits the egg on the upperside of the stem or
mid-rib that runs between the leaflets. It moves with great care
and precision, as though such nicety were very necessary. The
egg is thus placed at what might be called the exact centre of the
leaf. There seems undoubtedly to be design in this, as the eggs
are exceedingly frail and delicate, and if deposited on the leaflets
they would probably be injured or crushed when they close up
tight at night. I did not notice whether the eggs were placed
between the junctures of two sets of leaflets on either side, but I
think such was the case. When the females are confined over
the plant the eggs are scattered about indiscriminately either on
the Cassia, or anything else near it. They were found oviposit-
ing here in the last week of August, and at Westville, N. J., in
September.
THE FIRST STAGES OF PAMPHILA PANOQUIN.
August 22d, Pamphila panoguin was exceedingly abundant on
the meadows flying about and feeding on the flowers of Statice.
They were fine, bright specimens. This species does not seem to
have as much of the jerky flight as most species of the genus,
but flies generally in a straight line. It is readily caught when
feeding on the blue flowers, which attract it greatly, but when in
the net is exasperatingly restless, and usually manages to denude
its thorax of hair. A female deposited a few eggs in the paper in
which it was confined, not having been pinched hard enough to —
cause immediate death. One hatched August 27th, and the
young larva was about one-eighth inch in length and was different ~
from any Hesperid larva I had ever seen in being cream-white in
color. Under the microscope it showed six or eight small point-
like warts on each segment. The head was of a light coffee color
darker toward the front. It entirely devoured the egg shell.
The eggs were of the usual form in the genus and of a pale greenish
white color. I tried to rear it on lawn grass, which it absolutely
5 en,
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | 9 +
refused to eat, and thus suicided. The remaining eggs I sent to
Mr. W. H. Edwards, but they failed to hatch. The female pano-
qguin differs from the other sex in being larger, several shades
darker in color, and in having the maculations on the superior
wings much more sharply defined and brighter in color. There
is a prominent light colored streak on the inferiors nearly one-
quarter inch in length, which is either wanting or only indicated
in the male.
A colony of full grown Junonia cenia larve were found feeding
on Gerardia tenutfolium, which, as far as I know, is a new food-
plant for the species.
vat
Vv
NOTES ON COLEOPTERA.
BY GEO. H. HORN, M. D.
From the remarks of Mr. Fauvel (Revue Ent. 1889, p. 142) it
is evident that two species of Cryptohypnus have been confounded
under one name by many of the Coleopterists of Europe, notably
by Dr. Candéze, whose work has been accepted as authority on
the family ELATERID#@ for many years. It is pardonable in
students on this side of the Atlantic if they are found guilty of
an error due to, or rather copied from, those who should be final
authority on the species of the fauna around their own homes.
€. pulchellus Linn., exiguus Rand., guttatulus Mels.
The above line appears in Dr. Hamilton’s paper on the Cole-
optera of the sub-arctic regions common to both hemispheres.
From the remarks of Fauvel two species have been confounded
under pulchellus, which have a great superficial similarity ; these
are:
C. pulchellus Linn.—Thorax with posterior angles sinuate, di-
vergent and acute at the apex, the strize of the elytra obsolete at
the tip.
C. sabulicola Boh.—Thorax with posterior angles arcuate,
rather incurved, obtuse at apex, elytra deeply striate, the inter-
vals subcostiform. :
Any one who will read the descriptions of Randall and Mels-
heimer, which are remarkably good, will see that we have in our
fauna pulchellus as described by Fauvel.
10 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Jan.
C. guadripunctatus Fab., does not occur in our fauna, although
we have a representative species in perflexus Horn, which has a
longer thorax and the humeral elytral spots only.
C. dermestoides Hbst. var. guadriguttatus Lap.—This species:
is now for the first time recorded in our fauna. It is a small
species, thorax rugulose, especially in front; median line smooth,
but linear. Elytra with four yellow spots, one on each humeral
angle, the other on the middle line of the elytra near the apex.
Specimens are in my cabinet from Nova Scotia, Maryland
(Lugger) and Washington, D. C. (Ulke).
The true dermestoides has no elytral spots, or very faint indi-
cations of them. Three such specimens are known to me from
Nevada, northern California and Los Angeles. On the other
hand three specimens from the State of Washington are interme-
diate in the fact of having a well-marked apical spot but no
humeral.
C. riparius Fab., is said, by Candéze, to occur in our polar
regions. He does not state his grounds for this and the species
has not been recognized by us.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOoMOLoGICcAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case ‘cr the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
a
A Roya. ENTomo_Locist.—Recently the Grand Duke Nicholas, of
Russia, was elected a corresponding member of the Acad. Nat. Sci. of
Philadelphia, in recognition of his services to Entomology. He is one
of the few men of science of royal rank, and is editor and part writer of
one of the finest works of recent years on Lepidoptera. The work was
commenced in 1884, and at present consists of five handsome volumes,
the last published recently. They are profusely illustrated in the most
sumptuous manner by the best artists of Europe. He has sent out several
collecting expeditions under a guard of Cossacks, which turned up many
new and rare species. The work is entitled ‘‘ Memoirs sur les Lepidop-
teres rediges,’’ par N. M. Romanoff (Grand Duke Nicholas), of St. Peters-
bourg. The first article is ‘‘ Les Lepidopteres de la Transcaucasie,”’ by
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. II
N. M. Romanoff, and is continued in the succeeding volumes. He has a
collection of Lepidoptera, and has corresponded and exchanged with Dr.
Strecker, of Reading, who has received many finé specimens from him.
H. SKINNER.
PHILADELPHIA’s “‘ WHITE PasHa.’’—Dr. W. L. Abbott, an ornithologist
and entomologist, well known in Philadelphia, is making quite a reputation
in East Central Africa as an explorer and naturalist. Before leaving this
- country he presented his fine collection of birds to the Philadelphia Acad-
-emy. He also possessed a fine collection of Lepidoptera, mostly local
species. Dr. Abbott is a life member of the Academy of Natural Sciences,
a graduate of the Towne Scientific School and the Medical Department
of the University of Pennsylvania, and member of the Royal College of
Physicians and Surgeons of England. He collected birds in the far West
in 1881, and birds and insects in Hayti in 1883, and presented the latter to
_ the American Entomological Society; among these was a new species of
_ Anartia and other rarities. He was with Herr Ehlers, who recently
made the first successful ascent of Mt. Kilmanjaro, the highest mountain
in Africa. Dr. Abbott did not reach the summit, but broke down at 17,000
feet with heart dilatation, as he was convalescing from the African fever.
More birds have been collected by him than by any one who has visited
the Kilmanjaro region (550 species). At last accounts Dr. Abbott was
preparing a large expedition into Masai land. Stevens, the round-the-
world bicyclist, alludes to him quite frequently in his letters to the New
York World. He describes the natives as singing his praises as follows :
“Our Wanyamwezi, marching together in the same regular order as
yesterday, struck up a vociferous and truly African refrain, while the rest
of the caravan sung the chorus. No matter’ how hot the day or how tired
his limbs, the porter seems always ready to split his throat in singing and
shouting. For this or for dancing he seldom gets too tired. The Wan-
yamwezi are noted shouters. They commenced a song in praise of the
white man, and-many joined in heartily.
“Great is the mzunger! Woh! woh!” sung the melodists from the
Land of the Moon.
_ “Woh! woh! woh! the Mzu-u-gu-u-u! woh!’ chorused the caravan.
“The Mzungu is great! woh!”
“Woh! woh! woh! the Mzu-u-g-u-u! woh!” .
“Great is the Merikain! (Dr. Abbott, who is widely known by that
proud title among the natives of East Central Africa) woh !””
“Woh! woh! woh! the Merikain, woh!”
*‘Our food is rice and fish! woh!”
‘Woh! woh! woh! rice and fish !”’
*‘Woh! our food is rice and fish !”’
‘Great is the Mzungu! woh!”
“Woh ! woh! woh! the Mzungu woh!”
‘“ He gives us rupees! rupees !’’
“Woh! woh! woh! he gives us rupees! rupees! woh !’,—H. SKINNER.
12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Jan.
PHyToNomus Punctatus FaB.—The appearance of this weevil in this
vicinity for the first time and in numbers, is one of the remarkable inci-
dents in Coleoptera occurring during the year just ended. The first speci-
mens were taken about the first week in May and the last the early part of
November. At irregular intervals itappeared very abundantly, and but few
days passed without at least one or two specimens being observed. It is
singular that, when this insect makes its appearance in any locality, it is
always in numbers. Mr. Reinecke, of Buffalo, in August, 1884, recorded
an invasion of this species at that place, in the Buffalo Freie Presse,
which was reprinted in the ‘‘ Brooklyn Bulletin’? of September, 1884. .
Ne er CHARLES LIEBECK.
A Cocoanut Pest.—The United States Consul at Santiago de Cuba
has made a report to the Secretary of State in regard to a mysterious
disease prevailing in that country which at one time threatened to anni-
hilate all the plantations producing cocoanuts for market and export.
Small shipments of cocoanuts are constantly leaving Santiago for the
United States, and the Consul says he has sought to discover the origin
of the disease which has affected them. Opinions of scientists differ as to _
the cause and nature of the disease. The Consul says that it has been at
last definitely ascertained that the destroyer of the cocoanut tree is an
insect of diminutive size, barely visible to the naked eye, and probably a
Coccid. Prof. Gundlach, of Havana, recommends that all cocoanuts re-
ceived in the United States be dipped into boiling water upon arrival, and
that the bags they are shipped in be destroyed. E. M. AARON.
EREBIA EPIPSODEA var. Sine-ocellata described in Can. Ent. Dec., 89,
p. 239, by Dr. Henry Skinner, the author informs us, is probably a synonym
of Epipsodea var. Brucei described in a few words by Mr. Elwes,
Trans. Ent. Soc., London, June, 1889, p. 326. The latter description
is as follows: ‘‘minor absque ocellis fascia rufa fere obsoleta,”’ habitat
Summit County, Colorado, 12,000 feet altitude. It is but justice to Dr.
Skinner to state that his description was in the hands of the editor of the
“Canadian Entomologist’’ at least six weeks before Mr. Elwes’ descrip-
tion was received at the libraries in Philadelphia. E. M. AARON.
HOME-MADE Cork.—Mr. F. M. Jones, of Wilmington, Del., describes
a very good lining for insect boxes as follows: ‘‘I made a rough wooden
press and procured about a barrel of the fine cork which white grapes are
packed in, mixed it with weak glue and pressed it into sheets between
white paper. The sheets when pressed must be about three-eighths of an
inch thick to turn out properly. It answers very well and costs almost
nothing.’’ H. SKINNER.
RARE BEETLES ON THE NEW JERSEY COAST.—Among many good things
taken on Brigantine Beach, N. J., just after the September storm, by which
the whole island, except a few of the coast sandhills, was submerged, may
be specially noticed :
=<
crn ae:
5 I
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 3
Cafius sericeus Holme, two 2 examples. This fixes an American lo-
cality for and decides in favor of the successful colonization of this Euro-
pean species. It appears slender and delicate compared with the abundant
Cryptobium pusillum Lec., two examples, f and Q, .25 inch. long. The
only specimen seen by Dr. Horn, when preparing his Cypéobium paper,
was the type in the LeConte collection, a <j‘ from the sea-shore of Long
Island. N. Y. The last ventral segment of the ¢' has a parallel notch
from apex to base, and a contiguous depression on the apex of the pre-
ceding, as if nature had intended to continue the slit ; the last ventral of
the @ is rounded.
Cryptobium lugubre Lec., three examples, unfortunately 2. Having
been described from Florida, it is mentioned here to record the locality.
Quedius brunneus Mann., and Actobius nanus Horn, were taken in some
abundance. The Coleoptera were for a time very much concentrated,
taking refuge under the trash swept up around the sandhills. The New
Jersey coast is rich in small Coleoptera, apparently neglected by neigh-
boring collectors, or at least unrecorded. Joun HAMILTON.
Entomological Literature.
BULLETINS OF THE ILLINOIS STATE LABORATORY OF NATURAL His-
tory, Vol. III.
Article V.—A Descriptive Catalogue of the Phalangiine of Illinois by
Clarence M. Weed, M. Sc. Ina pamphlet of 20 pp. the author tabulates
the genera Liobunum, Oligolophus and Phalangium, describing in them
eight, one, and one species respectively. Three figures are given in the
text. Z. elegans and L. politus are described as new.
Article VI.—A partial Bibliography of the Phalangiine of N. America,
by the same author, enumerates the general articles and follows with a
reference list of the species. Students of this little-known group. so com-
monly called ‘‘ daddy-long-legs,”’ will find these papers invaluable guides.
E. M. A.
MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Bulletin No. 5, July, 1889.
Household Pests, by Charles H. Fernald, 10 pp. 6 wood-cuts [Dec., 1889.]
Carpet beetles, clothes moths. ants and bacon beetles are treated of and
their habits and remedies described in a way that renders the author’s
meaning clear to any reader.—E. M. A.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF MINNESOTA. Bulletin No.
8, July, 1889. Zhe Rocky Mountain Locusts in Otter Tail County, Minn.,
in 1889. [Otto Lugger, Ph. D.] 20 pp., 9 cuts, 2 plates, 53 figures [Dec.,
1889.] A very full inquiry into the cause, effects and prevention of this
visitation for the past season.—E. M. A.
14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Jan.
CANADIAN Entomocoaist, Vol. XXI, No. 12, Dec. [14,] 1889, “mailed
December 7th,’’ contains the following : “ Preparatory stages of Lepfarctia
Californie Walker, with notes on the genus,”’ by G. H. French (con-
tinued from p. 213, November). Eleven excellent wood-cuts accompany
the text, illustrative of the varieties Strechii, Boisduvalii, Dimidiata,
Albifascia, Occidentalis, Latifasciata, Fulvofasciata, California, Wrightii,
Decia and Lena. ‘‘ The Noctuidz of North America and Europe com-
pared.’’ Fourth paper by A. R. Grote, A. M. The tribes Arzamini,
Nonagriini, Scolecampini and Caradrini are treated of. ‘*‘The North
American Callimorphas,’”’ by H. H. Lyman. A reply to Prof. Smith, Mr.
Grote, et al. ‘‘On the Predatory Habits of Chetopsis enea (Wied.),”
by Rev. T. W. Fyles. ‘‘ Preparatory stages of Pyrameis carye Hiibner,”
by H. G. Dyar. ‘‘ Butterflies at Qu’Appelle, Assa,” by Henry Skinner, —
M.D. Zrebia Sine-ocellata nov. var. of Epipsodea is described. “A
Rare Moth,” [Zrebus zenobia,| by A. H. Kilman. Records its capture in
Ontario.—E. M..A.
A REVISION OF THE SUBFAMILY LIBELLULIN2 WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF
New GENERA AND SPECIES by W. F. Kirby (Trans. Zool. Soc. London,
xii, pp. 249-348, Plates LI—LVII, August, 1889), is undoubtedly the most
important work on this group that has appeared since the publication of
Dr. F. Brauer’s ‘‘ Verzeichniss der bis jetzt bekannten Neuropteren im
Sinne Linné’s (Verhdl. zool.-bot. Gesell. Wien, xviii, pp. 359-416, 711-
742), in 1868.
This revision is based on the material in the British Museum. The sub-
family is divided into 88 genera, 40 of which are now proposed for the
first time. In characterizing genera, Mr. Kirby has “selected the neura-
tion as on the whole the most satisfactory guide.’ A general description
of the characters made use of, and an analytical table of the genera pre-
cede the detailed descriptions of the genera. Fifty-three new species are
described, mostly from South America. The plates are excellent and of
great service to the text. A number of changes in the names of nerves
of the wings are introduced.
It is to be regretted that Mr. Kirby, in common with other British ento-
mologists of late years, has retained Newman’s names —Sympetrum, Or-
thetrum and Leptetrum. Both Dr. Hagen and Baron de Selys-Long-
champs are now agreed that it is best to reject these terms.
As a student of the OponatTA, the writer could wish that a complete
list of the species under each genus had been included in this work, al-
though this would have called for much additional labor. Perhaps Mr.
Kirby will yet favor us with such a list.--P. P. CALVERT.
THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE oF NATURAL History December, 1889.
This number contains the following articles of interest to entomologists :
“Notes made during the summer of 1887 on the effect of offering vari-
ous Insects, Larve and Pupz to Birds,” by Arthur G. Butler, F. L. S.,
etc. After replying to certain criticisms made by Mr. Poulton, in a former
number of the ‘“‘ Magazine of Natural History,” the author gives the re-
ah
+
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 15
sult of very many experiments, made from August 16th to October sth,
principally with caterpillars that were offered to the Missel-thrush, Night-
ingale, Starling, Chaffinch, Rose-finch, Siskin, Waxbill, Skylark, Indigo-
finch, Sedge-warbler, Blackbird, Bulbul, Wryneck, Canary, Weaver-bird,
and several other birds. As a summary of these experiments he con-
cludes: “It is noteworthy, from an examination of the above records
that no insect in any stage, excepting the red-tailed bumble-bee (which,
by the way, I only offered to the Missel-thrush) was rejected by all my
birds ; those insects which were refused by certain species were eagerly
devoured by others, so that it was impossible to conclude that any of them
enjoyed perfect immunity from destruction. In the second place, so far
from my birds learning by experience to reject with scorn that which they
had proved to be unpalatable, I found that in some instances they seemed
to acquire a taste for larve previously refused. Birds are very intelligent,
but their memories are ridiculously short.’’ “A new species of Rhax,”’
[ Rhax semifiava, from the Punjab] by R. I. Pocock. ‘‘ A new species of
Glomeris from Borneo,” [ Glomeris concolor] by R. 1. Pocock. ‘‘ On the
Parasitic Castration of the TypHLocyB& by a Hymenopterous Larva
(Aphelopus melaleucus Dalm.) and by a Dipterous Larva (A/éelenevra
spuria Meig.),” by M. A. Giard [A translation from Comptes. Rendus,
Nov. 4, 1889, p. 708.]
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE, December, 1889.--This
number contains the following : ‘‘ 7ri/urcula paliidel/a in the Isle of Pur-
beck,” by Eustace R. Bankes. ‘‘ Remarks on Mr. James Edwards’ list of
Norfolk Hemiptera,”’ by Edward Saunders. ‘‘Second Supplement to
Annotated List of British ANTHOMyIID#,”’ by R. H. Meade [Aydrotee-
Pegomyia.| ‘Synopsis of the British Orthoptera,’’? by Eland Shaw [ Pa-
chytylus-Tettix.| ‘The usual amount of collecting notes of local interest
are given space, and notes on ‘“‘ breeding Detlephila galii;’ the wood-
pecker, ‘‘a destroyer of larve of 7enzera Aésculi;” the foods of Boarmia
trhomboidaria, Gcophora stipella and Lygus viscicola ; and the bite of
Nabis limbatus. Reports of the proceedings of the Birmingham Ento-
mological Society, the South London Ent. and N. H. Soc., and the Ent.
Soc. of London, are followed by 27 pp. of table of contents and index.
E. M. A.
JOURNAL OF THE AsIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, Vol. LVIII, Part II,
Nos. I and II [Issued May-September, 1889;’’ received Philadelphia, Dec.
21, 1889] contains “A new species and genus of Coccip#,”’ [Pseudopul-
vinaria Sikkimensis] by E. T. Atkinson; Plate I, 14 figures. ‘‘ Notes on
Indian Rhyncota ; Heteroptera, No. 5,’’ by E. T. Atkinson; 149 species
-are described, one species, AZicrodeuterus Dallasi, being new. ‘‘ Notes
on Assam Butterflies,” by Wm. Doherty; Plate X, colored figures of 8
species; 5new. A classification of Zuthalia and allies is proposed, based
on the costal vein of the forewing. This paper contains much of interest
‘to the student of this suborder. “‘ Definitions of three new Homoptera,”’
{Local species of the genus /diocerus] by E. T. Atkinson.—E. M. A.
16 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Jan.
Exchanges.
[Entomologists are invited to make free use of this page for the purpose of bringing
their duplicates and desiderata before the insect-collecting world. Cards of four lines,
with four changes per year, will be allowed without charge. Beyond that, insertions will
be charged at regular advertising rates.]
’&
or
North American botanical specimens offered in exchange for butterflies
and moths—I. C. Martindale, Camden, N. J. <
The LepiporTera of the world offered in exchange for North American
MACROLEPIDOPTERA.—Henry Skinner, 716 North 20th St., Philada., Pa.
LEPIDOPTERA. Cocoons of hybrids, ex Ceanothi et Cecropia; also
Gloveri et Cecropia, besides set specimens of North American species.
Lists exchanged.—Emily L. Morton, Newburgh, N. Y.—New Windsor
Delivery.
HESPERID# of the world desired in exchange for the same and other
rare butterflies. Good cash prices for rare species. Correspondence
solicited.—E. M. Aaron, Academy Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.
AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA, especially from West and North desired for
purchase or exchange.—H., J. Elwes, Preston, Cirencester, England.
HEMIPTERA desired in exchange, especially in HomopTERA, either
named or unnamed. Correspondence solicited.—E. P. Van Duzee, Gros-
venor Library, New York.
A limited number of Neonympha Mitcheliii French, n. sp., for exchange.
Send lists to Irving N. Mitchell, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
PAMPHILA AND CaTocaLa. Good value in cash or exchange for perfect
specimens.—Philip Laurent, 1306 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Dragonflies (Cdonata) wanted from all parts of the world. State what
is desired in return.—Ph. P. Calvert, Entom. Section, Acad. Nat. ae. 7
19th and Race Sts. » Philadelphia, Pa.
The undersigned would be pleased to hear from any one interested in
the collection and study of Coleoptera of North America, either to corre-
spond or exchange specimens. Will collect all orders in this vicinity and
exchange for Coleoptera of other localities.—Charles Liebeck, Entomo-
logical Section Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. I. FEBRUARY, 18go. No. 2.
CONTENTS:
Slosson—May Moths........ccsse-csssseecseeee 17 | Aaron—N. American Hesperidz.......... 23
Skinner—Random Notes.......s0e-seseeeese 19 | NOTCH AMES WS i.e. elses. cet. c ied cesenesocee 26
Weed—Siphonophora or Nectarophora? 20 | Entomological Literature... 29
Jones—Notes on Smerinthus Astylus... 21 | DOINGS OF Societies... 2.05. ..csccccsceesecstene 3¥
Calvert—Virginian Dragonflies............ 22
May Moths in Northern New Hampshire.
eas BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON.
_ Few entomologists. seem:to know much of the early spring in
Northern New England and its opportunities for collecting. For
the last two or three years I have gone to Franconia, N. H., on
or before the middle of May. In an ordinary season the snow at
that date still lies in the woods, and the mountains often look
quite white. But there are plenty of moths.
I have found, on May 15th, Corycia vestaliata Guen. and C.
semiclarata Walk. flying in such numbers over the fields and on
the edges of woods that they looked like white flower petals flut-
tering in the breeze. With these, and as early, fly the pretty
species of Lobophora, L. vernata Pack. and L. geminata Pack.
About the same date Lozogramma defluata Walk. and L. deter-
Sata Guen. start up before you as you walk in méadow or open
2
18 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb.
woods to fly rapidly a few feet and drop again suddenly to the
ground. JL. lactispargata Walk, is generally a little later. On
18th or 20th comes the early brood of Selenia kentaria G. & R.
No one who has not seen these early specimens at this season can
know anything of the real beauty of this species. These first
comers are larger and infinitely deeper and richer in tint than the
later ones, and there is a soft, tender bloom upon the surface of
the wings which is as evanescent as lovely, and is quite lost in
drying. Before the 20th Eujfidonia notataria Walk., Fidonia
truncataria Walk. and Ematurga faxonii Minot, are plentiful.
All these are day flyers, of course. The nights at this season
are still very cold, and often frosty, but it is marvellous to see
how. many noctuids are moving about and are attracted to sugar
and to light. Two years ago, between May 16th and 20th, Ao-
moptera edusa Drury, was in great abundance, flocking at night
to our sugar-stations and also to our lanterns on the piazza. We
have often taken more than a hundred of this species with its two
varieties, /unata and saundersiz, in an evening. With them came
also H. unilineata Gr., H. woodstt Gr., H. benesignata Harv.,
Zale horrida Hiib., and the three forms of Ypsia undularis Drury.
Teniocampa incerta Hib. is one of these earliest moths and very
abundant. By the end of the month some of the Bombycide
make their appearance; the Spilosomas—virginica and prima—
Halisidota maculata Harr., H. tessellata A. and S., P. isabella
A. and S., Z. acrea Drury, Arctia virguncula Kirby; Notodonta
stragula Gr.; N. basistrieus Walk. Lophopteryx elegans Strecker;
Nerice bidentata Walk. and many others. And you must re-
member that this is not in the May of Pennsylvania, or even that
of southern New England, but in the tardy cold spring of the
northern hill country. There the snow often lies upon the ground
until June; the streams are icy cold, and all vegetation exceed-
ingly backward. Upon what do these early subalpine moths
feed? There are almost no blossoms at the season of which I
speak. From under the snow the epig@a lifts a few pink buds,
and in a favorable, sunny May, viola rotundifolia, v. selkirkit and
a few—a very few—other hardy little plants open tiny blossoms.
I must not forget to say that it was in the last week of May, in
a very backward season, while snow, lay in heaps and drifts, in
sheltered, shady spots, that I took at light my fine specimen of
Phragmatobia assimilans Walk. This beautiful insect known only
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 19
for many years by the worm and damaged types in the British
Museum owes, doubtless, its rediscovery by me to my early visit
in that backward season to the New Hampshire hills.
Random Notes on Lepidoptera.
BY HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
Determination of Sex of the Cocoons of Cecropia.—One winter
some time ago I collected a large number of Platysamia cecropia
cocoons and noticed quite a difference in their superficial appear-
ance, and I determined to see, if I could, what it meant. I had
suspected from some previous observations that the two kinds
represented the different sexes. I divided the cocoons accord-
ingly, putting them in separate boxes, and found, subsequently,
that the cocoons in one box produced males and the other females.
I separated them by the following characters: the male cocoon is
much more compact, lighter in color, and not nearly so baggy as
the female and much longer in proportion to its width. A typical
male cocoon is three and three-quarters inches in length and one
and one-eighth in width, while the female cocoon is but three
and one-eighth inches in length by two inches in width. The
male cocoons are nearly always found high on the stalks (elder)
and the females close to the ground hidden by long grass and
dead leaves or other matted material where the elder stalk leaves
the ground. The difference in the construction of the two co-
coons is very striking, the wrinkled, baggy character of the female
ones is noticed at once. There may be some exception, but I
think by taking the sum of the characters the sexes may be picked
out at once without any difficulty, especially in the cocoons found
on elder bushes. The above facts are also true of the other spe-
cies in the genus Platysamia, but in a lesser degree. I have
separated the sexes of ceanothi in the same way.
q ;
A UNIQUE COLLECTING-FIELD.
The Eastern Penitentiary is situated at 22d and Fairmount
Avenue, Philadelphia, in the heart of the city, and is surrounded
by a stone wall about 42 feet high. The corridors run from a
common centre like the spokes of a wheel, thus leaving some
ground between them. Most of the cells have a small yard at-
20 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb.
tached in which the prisoner is allowed a few hours each day for
exercise. Some time ago while on a professional visit to some of
the inmates I was mortified to find a lepidopterist, although in-
terested in his captures, which were all made in the yard attached
to his cell. The cell yard was enclosed by stone walls 14 by 17
feet and 11% in height. In this small space he had caught during
the past summer eighteen species, as follows: Papilio asterias,
turnus, glaucus, ajax; Pieris rape; Colias philodice; Danais ar-
chippus; Grapta interrogationis; Vanessa antiopa, atalanta; An-
cyloxypha numitor; Eudamus tityrus; Philampelus satellitia;
Sphinx celeus; Hemaris thisbe; Catocala obscura, ilia; Cicada sp.
P. ajax is a great rarity here. I have never seen but one in
_the city limits, and Catocala obscura is also rare. Most of the
species were represented by a number of specimens.
AN ERROR CORRECTED.
Mr. Wm. Beutenmueller in his article on the preparatory stages
of Callosamia angulifera, Ent. Amer. Vol. V, No. 11, p. 200,
says ‘‘the cocoon can only be separated from that of Promethia
by its larger size.’’ The differences in the cocoons and the habits
of the larve of the two species in my mind are the most striking
proofs of the distinctness of the species. The full grown Pro-
methia caterpillar takes great care to securely fasten its cocoon to
the twigs of the tree and hangs by a thread of tightly-woven silk,
which has been spun over the stem of a leaf and the dried leaf
itself from the outer covering of the cocoon. The angulifera
caterpillar either spins its cocoon in the leaf and when the leaf
drops in the fall the cocoon falls to the ground in it, or crawls
down the trunk of the tree and spins its cocoon in the grass, or
fastens it to a dead stick under the tree. The angulifera cocoon
is oblong, being one inch and a half in length by five-eights of
an inch in width, and never has the silken prolongation as in
Promethia (see ‘‘ Psyche,’’ Vol. V, p. 261), and is not obscured
so much by the curled leaves, and has a more marked appearance.,
LD
Siphonophora or Nectarophora?
BY CLARENCE M,. WEED,
The fact that the aphidid genus Siphonophora has recently been
replaced by Nectarophora, does not seem to have received as
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 21
- much attention from entomologists as it deserves, and ENTOMo-
LoGicaL News may perhaps be utilized to present a brief state-
ment of the case. The change was made by Prof. O. W. Oest-
lund in his ‘‘ Synopsis of the APH1DID# of Minnesota (Bulletin
No. 4 of the Geological and Natural History Survey of Minne-
sota, p. 78),’’ where in using Mectarophora he says :
‘Tt is with some reluctance that I propose to replace a name
that has already become so familiar and extensively used as that
of Siphonophora. But Siphonophora as a generic term was al-
ready appropriated for the M/yriapoda before Koch made use of
it in the APHIDID#; and it is also used to denote an order of the
oceanic Hyprozoa, and should, therefore, according to practice,
be replaced by one not already occupied.’’
Prof. Forbes informs me that Marschall’s ‘‘ Nomenclator’’
gives the date of the use of Siphonophora by Brandt for a genus
of MyRIAPODA at 1886, and that of Koch for HEMIPTERA at 1855.
It seems to me that in questions of nomenclature entomologists
at present cannot do better than follow the code of the American
Ornithologist’s Union, in accordance with canon xxxiii, of which
the use of Nectarophora would be justified. This canon reads as
follows :
‘* A generic name is to be changed which has been previously
used for some other genus in the same kingdom; a specific or
subspecific name is to be changed when it has been applied to
some other species of the same genus, or used previously in
combination with the same generic term.”
ray
Vv
Notes on Smerinthus Astylus Drury.
. BY FRANK M. JONES.
As but little is known of the life-history of this insect, the fol-
lowing notes may be of interest; unfortunately, I could not ob-
tain a full description of the larva through all its changes :
June 16, 1889.—Found % and 9? on a twig of High-bush
Huckleberry. Here and there on all the Huckleberry bushes
hung a few dry leaves; the leaves, when dead, turn cinnamon-
brown, and the two moths, as they sat motionless on the twig, so
closely resembled one of these clusters of dry leaves, both in
color and outline, that I did not recognize them as living insects
for some seconds after seeing them.
22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb.
June 16 to 19.— @ laid 151 smooth, glossy, pale greenish yel-
low eggs, somewhat flattened, 2 mm. greatest diameter.
June 23.—Some of the eggs changed | to dirty white, and the
young larve could be seen within.
June 24.—Eggs commenced to hatch; young larva pale green-
ish white, 6 to 7 mm. in length; head and thoracic segments
large; caudal horn 1.5 mm. in length, reddish brown, darker at
base and tip; two spines at tip, making it appear pronged; horn
usually straight, or nearly so, but in some cases much curved; in
this moult it points backward.
July 28.—Larva full grown; length 38 mm.; green, with yellow
granulations; seven yellow, oblique; lateral stripes, the last reach-
ing base of caudal horn; an indistinet, yellow, longitudinal, lateral
line to fifth segment, and continued faintly; a variable number of
red dorsal spots or blotches, two on a segment; some have but
two small red spots on the third segment, and on others red is
the predominating color of the dorsal region; caudal horn straight,
pale green; two thorns at tip; points forward; several days before
pupating the green of the dorsal region fades to a dull yellow.
August 11.—First larva pupated; although provided with a
plentiful supply of light, moist earth, none of the larve attempted
to enter the ground, but pupated upon the bare soil. If this is
their habit in nature, it may in part account for the rarity of this
insect, but I have noticed the same thing with other and com-
moner species when confined in breeding-cages, and its rarity i is
probably due to some other cause. — :
Notes on a few Virginian Dragonflies.
BY : PHILIP=E: CALVERT.
Some months ago Mr. Wm. D. Richardson, of Fredericks-
-burg, Va., sent to me, for identification, a few dragonflies which
he had taken in Spottsylvania County in that State. These speci- —
mens may interest some readers as adding new data for geo-
graphical distribution. Excepting 4. heros; none of these spe-
cies have been recorded from Virginia before, although P.
trimaculata was known to inhabit the United States everywhere
east of the Rocky Mountains. The notes which Mr. Richardson
sent with the specimens are enclosed in quotation marks.
caf
fe
News, Vol.
Ent.
‘SNS3H SNWVANA—"Z ‘Dl4
“‘WINVHN SAGCIOAYZ— | Sly
-1890.] -ENTOMOLOGICAL’ NEWS. 23
1. Lestes forcipata Ramb. (Selys, 1862) ¢ ‘‘ July 3, 1889, nea
a pond.”’ :
This species is the hamata of Dr. Hagen’s Synopsis of 1861.
2. Anomalagrion hastatum Say, 2 ‘‘July 12, 1889, near a
pond.”’
3. Enallagma aspersum Hag., 3 ‘‘ July 12, 1889, near a pond.”’
4. Aéschna heros Fabr., 3 ‘‘June, 1889; caught while flying
near a stable; about a thousand feet from a pond, late in the
evening.”
5. Celithemis elisa Hag., $ ‘‘July 3, 1889, near a pond.”’
6. Plathemis trimaculata De Geer, $ ‘‘June 18, 1889, near
the borders of a small pond about one-quarter of a mile from
Fredericksburg.”
7. Libellula quadrupla Say, 2? ‘‘ 1888, border of a small pond :
near Frederickburg.”’
The most southern locality known to me for this species is
Greenville, S. C., from which I possess a female taken by my
friend, Mr. Lawrence O. Patterson.
8. Diplax vicina Hag., ? ‘‘ June 18, 1888, flying over a pond.”’
0)
Vv
NORTH AMERICAN HESPERIDA.
BY EUGENE M. AARON.
No. 1—ERYCIDES URANIA and EUDAMUS HESUS.
It is the purpose, in this series of short papers, to give descrip-
tions of new or little-known species of North American HEs-
PERID#, with notes that will be calculated to aid students in the
study of this neglected Family. There are a few species of HEs-
PERID#@ which have never been described, the identification of
which depend on illustrations only to be found in rare and costly
works. Others are inadequately described or, in the opinion of
_the writer, confounded with older species, and still others are as
yet undescribed. Where it seems to be desirable to elucidate the
text, plain drawings will be furnished.
Erycides Urania, West. [Plate I, fig. 1.]* ;
West.-Doub.-Hew., Gen. Di. Lep., p, 510, No. 7, pl. 79, fig. 1 (1852).
Though figured, in 1852, in the superb work cited above, this
striking species has never been described in the publications of its
_* Plate I will appear in a future number of News.
24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb.
native land nor abroad. As the ‘‘ Genera of Diurnal Lepidop-
tera’’ is an extremely rare work—itis doubtful if more than fifteen
copies are to be found in the United States—I have thought it
well to describe and figure it at this time, so that hereafter it may
be easier for the American student of the HESPERID# to identify
‘the species as it turns up in collections.
The only textual reference to this species in the ‘‘ Gen. Di. Lep.””
is in a list of the species of the genus ; the student is left to the
very accurate figure on plate 79 for the determination, and there,
very unwisely as it seems, only the upper side is figured.
The description which follows is made from the figure by Mr.
Hewitson, and’ from a fair series of specimens from Texas and
Mexico :
Expanse 2 to 23 inches. Ground color above black on both
wings ; banded and spotted with bright green or blue. On the
primaries this banding in most examples is caused by the fact that
nearly the whole surface is covered with a dense coat of scales of
bright green, which, being separated by the black bordered ner-
vures, take on the form of longitudinal bands; in a few specimens,
however, the apical area is but slightly sprinkled with green and
the whole outer half of the wing appears black or nearly so. A
group of translucent sub-apical spots consist of three constricted -
points along the costal margin, one larger below the outer of the
three, and a much larger quadrate spot centrally below the four. —
Two translucent bands follow these spots internally, the first bifid,
short, hardly more than an elongated spot, the inner one crossing
the median area much longer and made trifid by two nervures.
The color of the markings on the secondaries is much brighter,
and towards the anal angle of a deep azure-blue tint in some ex-
amples. From the base three streaks diverge towards and stop
abruptly on the median area, the upper of these is shorter than
the others to make room for the bifurcate series of spots on the —
outer area of the wing. These spots—four in the inner limb and
seven in the outer are placed in the form of a written letter y. On
some examples there is a faint indication of another streak, longer
than the three others running parallel to the abdominal margin.
Beneath, color and markings a reproduction of the upper sur-
face, save that while the black is not so dense on the primaries, it
is deeper and more velvety on the secondaries. The green atoms
on the primaries are fewer; on the secondaries they are brighter,
and the bands run all the way to the costal edge.
18go. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 25
Thorax above black, with tufts of green hairs, beneath marked
to match the secondaries. Abdomen black, with green hairs and
annulations of the same color. Head and palpi above green
spotted, white beneath. Antenne black, dark cinereous at tip.
Emarginations, above and below, notched, white.
Habitat.—Mexican boundary of Texas; Mexico; Central Am.
Eudamus Hesus, West. [Plate I, fig. 2.]
Goniloba Hesus, West.-Doub.-Hew. Gen. Di. Lep. p. 573, No. 40, pl.
78, fig. 5 (1852).
As in Erycides Urania, this species has never been described,
but has always been accepted on the strength of the excellent
figure of the upper surface, the lower surface not having been
represented. The description which follows is made up from this
figure, and a small suite of specimens; the species is rather rare
in collections.
Expanse 24 to 23% inches. Primaries much produced apically.
Ground color rich rufous brown, shaded with deep umber on outer
and abdominal margins, and approaching black-brown on costal
margin of secondaries. . Primaries with three sub-apical honey-
yellow spots, the upper very minute; an irregular discal patch of
the same color translucent, resembling a three-leaf clover in shape
and composed of three unequal outwardly-notched spots, extends
from the costal area well towards the posterior angle. This patch
is faintly margined by black; at the juncture of the three spots
there is a triangular spot of the ground color. On the costal
margin a deepening of the scales and a deep incision running
therein for about one-third the length of the wing presents the
appearance of an aborted costal fold; sometimes this area is of a
lavender-gray color. On lower margin towards base there are
two small black spots and two smaller and less distinct just below
the outer angle of the discal patch; these seem to be a discon-
nected continuation of a band of two or three still fainter on apical
area. Secondaries have a small round black spot on disc and a
row of five or six of the same color, and of varying size, parallel
to the outer margin.
Beneath, the ground color is much duller in tone and more
clouded. Honey-yellow spots, of the primaries above, repro-
duced; black points wanting. Secondaries without the broad
area of black-brown on costal margin; the spots of the upper
side are replaced with spots of a lighter color than the ground
26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb.
encircled with brown fuscous. The row of spots parallel to the
outer margin is made to continue in its sub-marginal course by
the addition of two spots placed parallel to the costal margin.
Beneath the discal spot and towards the abdominal margin there:
is another somewhat smaller.
Body and thorax above and below concolorous with the wings;
head above the same, below much brighter. Antennze annulated
with black and the general color, brighter at base of tip, then
black, and finally ending in a long tapering tip of the general
color.
Habitat.—Mexican boundary of ‘Texas; Mexico; Central Am. :
Brazil (?). The locality was unknown mise the insect was figured
by Westwood.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLoGICAL NEws solicit, and will thankfully receive items.
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name bi be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers. ]
ABCANTHIA PaPISTRILLA IN NESTS OF THE BARN SwALLOW.—While
workmen were nailing some brackets beneath the eaves of the college
barn in the latter part of last August | ‘preparatory to putting up new eave-
troughs, they complained of receiving a shower of bed-bugs whenever
they pounded on the barn. The fact was reported to me and I imme-
diately went, bottle in hand, to get a supply of the bugs.
A large flock of swallows had lived about the barn all summer and
reared their young and had recently deserted the place. The eaves were
completely lined with their mud nests between the ends of the rafters.
Upon examining these nests I found them to be literally alive with crawling
vermin somewhat resembling bed-bugs, but much smaller, more hairy, and
having a grayish pilose appearance instead of the naked brick-red appear-
ance of the article that I had always‘seen. The outside of the nests were
in many places gray in color from the accumulation of their white egg-
shells. The largest of the bugs found in the nests measured but 9-64 of
an inch in length, while full grown specimens of A. /ectudaria in my col-
lection measure fully 4% of an inch; I am indebted to Mr. Ashmead, of
the Division of Entomology at Washington,’ for the identification of the
species. Mr. Ashmead tells me that he does not think that this species
has ever before been reported in this country. It is a common species in
1890. ] ~ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 27
Europe on the swallow and the bat. Is it not very possible that in most
cases, and perhaps in all cases, where bed-bugs have been reported in
swallow’s nests in this country that this was the species present, and not
A. lectularia ? C. P. GILLETTE.
* West Cliff, Custer Co., Col., Dec. 16, 1889.
The Editor ENtoMOLOGICAL NEws,
Dear S1r:—I received your preliminary circular, or prospectus, to-
day, and am glad to hear of the new journal. Conducted on the lines set
forth, and by the editor and committee announced, it cannot fail to be
highly useful. It will bring entomologists in closer touch and to more
harmonious feeling than has yet been seen on this side of the water. * * *
It has occurred to me that ENroMOLOGICAL News might fulfil a very
useful function by collecting facts and opinions regarding the various ques-
tions which have been or are under debate in entomological circles. Thus,
you might announce in successive numbers of the journal that facts and
opinions were required concerning such questions as :
1. Does moisture cause melanism, and if so, why?
2. Ought varieties to be named, and if so, to what extent? —
3. Should the term ‘‘form’’ be used to indicate slight varieties ?
4. In symmetrical insects does one side tend to vary more than the
other in an average of numerous examples ?
And so on.
Then a “question editor’ might be appointed (or a committee) to sift
and arrange the resulting correspondence, and finally draw up a report
showing the trend of opinion and the ve facts on either side. Don’t
you think that would be useful ?
You might also have a “‘ Variation Committee,’ to receive reports of all
varieties, and assort and arrange them when convenient for publication.
In this way facts from all — would be Se neater and their significance
understood.
Hitherto there has been too much exclusiveness. _Those who were not
specialists, or great students, have thought they could do nothing, whereas,
properly guided, they can do everything! But they must not be slighted
or looked down upon because they are ‘‘beginners.””
Yours very truly,
' THEo, D. A. COCKERELL.
[The projectors of ENromMoLocicaL News have had the plans for its
management and publication under advisement for some time past; in fact
ever since the untimely demise of “‘ Papilio,” in 1885, it has been more or
less in their minds. Though for some time assured that such a journal as
they hope to make it was needed they have continued to feel doubtful of
its reception by the entomological public until answers began to pour in
from those who received the preliminary circular alluded to above. Letters
such as this from one of the most active biologists interested in our science
have reached us in sufficient numbers to assure us that American and
28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [Feb.
Foreign Entomologists are much interested in our success. From these
present humble beginnings we hope to move on towards even higher ideals
until, with the aid of our correspondents, we reach such useful channels
as. Mr. Cockerell has outlined.—E. M. Aaron. ]
WHISTLING TREES.—A species of acacia, which grows very abundantly
- in the Soudan, is also called the ‘‘ whistling tree’’ by the natives. Its shoots
are frequently, by the agency of the larvz of insects, distorted in shape
and swollen into a globular bladder, from one to two inches in diameter.
After the insect has emerged from a circular hole in the side of this swell-
ing, the opening, played upon by the wind, becomes a musical instrument,
equal in sound to a sweet-toned flute.—Zachange.
A GRASSHOPPER Story.—A reformed car driver who worked for the
Street Car Company of Mobile, Ala., in the days when paper currency
was all the go, says that the company introduced the patent boxes which
for a time headed off the.boys effectually in their ‘‘ knocking down”’ fares.
But the victory of capital over labor was short-lived, for the drivers sup-
plied themselves with large grasshoppers which they tied by the wings
with a string and shoved down into the box, and when Mr. Grasshopper
grabbed onto a dime they jerked him back out of the box. This was
kept up for some time with great success, until one day the string broke
and left the bird in the box, which gave the snap away.—Zxchange.
JEweELs THat ARE ALIvE.—The firefly of the South—the cucujo, an
inch-long beetle—is occasionally brought to this country as a curiosity,
and if fed on sugar-cane and kept in a moist atmosphere it can be pre-
served in health for several weeks. The people of the Caribbean Islands
use these beetles for ornament, confined in folds of gauze, where the
beautiful green light which they emit—their red light flashes only in flying
—is more varied and splendid than any emerald that ever shone in a king’s
coronet; a number of them together under a glass make sufficient illumina-
tion for dressing or reading without producing any heat.— Harper's Bazar.
THE Mexican Wasp.—The Mexican Wasp is built entirely for business.
He is over two inches long when he is of age, and is about the color of a
bay horse. His plunger is a full inch long and as fine as a spider’s web.
Unlike the stinger of a common bee, the stinger of the Mexican Wasp is
non-forfeitable. He doesn’t give up after one lunge, but is always ready
for an all-day job if necessary. The mission of the Mexican Wasp seems
to be to hunt up people to run his stinger into. The natives say that he
will go ten miles out of his way to get a whack at a person. The natives
seem to get fat on snake bites, centipede bites and scorpion stings, but if
they discover one of these wasps in their neighborhood they hunt for
cover without delay.— Great Divide.
a
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 29
Entomological Literature.
PROCEEDING OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, January-June, 1889
[Issued May—August, 1889;’’ received in Philadelphia, Dec. 21, 1889.]
Contains the following : ‘‘ Three new Homoptera”’ (Indian species) by M.
L. Lethierry.—E. M. A.
ScIENCE —Dec. 20, 1889, contains a very full and appreciative review
of the work done and recently reported upon by Prof. W. A. Henry, of
the Wisconsin Experiment Station, acting under the direction of Secretary
of Agriculture Rusk, on certain matters connected with agricultural and
entomological research on the Pacific coast—E. M. A.
ANNALS OF THE N. Y. ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, Vol. IV, No. 12 [‘‘ Nov.
1889;”’ received Dec. 21, 1889.]—Contains a new genus of Termitophilous
STAPHYLINID& (continued)’’ by T. L. Casey. 7. imsolens, from Panama,
‘is described as new.—E. M. A.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST.—December, 1889, contains “ Pararge meg@ra,”’
by Sydney Webb. The author figures and describes an aberrant form
captured in Kent. ‘‘ Notes on Parasites of Atherix ibis Fabr.”’ by W. H.
Ashmead, T. R. Billups and F. W. Frohaws. Hymenopterous insects of
the genera Anton and Trichogramma are commented on. “Notes
from the Northwest Counties,’’ by J. Arkle; collection Notes. ‘‘ Ento-
mology of Iceland,’’ by Rev. F. A. Walker. Notes on a list of Insects
taken there this year. ‘Contributions towards a list of the varieties of
Noctue occurring in the British Islands,” by J. W. Tutt.—Under “‘ Ento-
mological Notes, Captures, etc.,’’ there are the usual notes on localities,
odd aberations, varieties, etc. In addition, notes on ‘‘ Parasites on Moths,”’
by E. Bostock. ‘New views on the stiborder Homoprera,” by W. L.
Distant,’’ and “‘ Fungus parasitic on Insects,’ by George J. Grapes, are
‘interesting. The usual reports of the Proceedings of the English Ento-
mological Societies, and reviews of Distant’s ‘“‘Monograph of Oriental
Cicadidz’’ and Porritt’s ‘‘ Notes on an extraordinary race of Arctia men-
dica Linn.” are followed by six pages of index, etc.—E. M. A.
FirTH REPORT OF THE INJURIOUS AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE STATE
or New York, by J. A. Lintner, Ph. D., State Entomologist, Albany,
1889. Ina work of 203 well-printed pages, the author treats of ‘“‘ Reme-
dies and Preventions of Insect Attack,’ “Injurious HyMENopTERA,”’
“Tnjurious LEpmpopTERA,”” “Injurious Diptera,’ Injurious CoLrop-
TERA,” ‘‘Injurious HEmipTerRA,”’ ‘“‘Insect Attacks and Miscellaneous
Observations,” ‘‘ ACARINA and Myriopopa,” and adds a “‘ List of publi-
cations of the Entomologist’ (1888) 52 articles being enumerated, and
69 articles added in a special bibliography for 1884 and 1885. Indices,
general and botanical, occupying 21 pages are added; 50 figures in the
text serve to illustrate as many insect pests or friends. As is usual with
30 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb.
the works of this author, this report is an excellent hand-book of the year’s
research in Economic Entomology in América. It is invaluable to all
entomologists, whether they be interested in economic or classificatory
work.—E. M. A.
CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST—January, 1890.. This first number of Vol.
XXII contains “ Balaninus—lIts food habits,’ by John Hamilton, M. D.,
with five illustrations of Balaninus nucum. The continuation of Prof. J.
B. Smith’s ‘‘ Preliminary Catalogue of the Arctiide of Temperate North
America, with Notes’’ [the genus Arcfia.] ‘‘ Note on the Larval Orna-
mentation of the North American Sphingide,’’ by A. R. Grote. “ De-
scriptions of Lepidopterous Larve,”’ (Mamestra lorea, Phycis rubifasciella,
Salebria contatella and S. ce/tella). ‘‘ Note on the genus Crocota and
Prof. J. B. Smith,” by A. R. Grote; a controversial article. ‘* Notes’’ and
‘““Correspondence”’ contain brief notes on Collecting by F. B. Caulfield.
“The Cotton Worm” around London, Ontario, by E. Baynes Reed, and
“‘Chrysalids (Pryrameis cardui) devoured by Caterpillars (.Spilosoma
isabella),’’ by S, W. Denton.—E. M. A.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE—January, 1890, contains
“* Micropteryx \arve,” by John H. Wood. ‘“‘ Coleoptera at Cobhane
Park, Kent,” by J. J. Walker. ‘‘ Descriptions of two new genera (.S/ezh-
idea and Trichidea) and of some uncharacterized species of Galerucine,”’
by Joseph S. Baly. The species are from the Indian fauna. ‘‘ Notes on
the Lepidoptera of Mooltan,’’ by N. Manders. “ /cerya purchasi and its
insect enemies in New Zealand,’’ by W. M. Maskell. The briefer notes in
this issue are on “‘ Scoparia atomalis and Scoparia augustea,” by Eustace
R. Bankes. ‘“‘ Opostega salaciella,” by the same author. ‘‘ Habits of the
Honey Moth”’ [ Gadleria cereana,] by C. G. Barrett, and ‘‘ Anarta myr-
Zilli at flowers,’’ and ‘“‘ Identity of Phycis adornatella and P. subornatella,”
by the same author. ‘Habits of the larva of Zudorea dubitalis,” by W.
Machin. ‘The Life-history of Simethis combinatana,” and “On the
flight of Atta antarctica,’ by G. V. Hudson. ‘“‘ Psocide and Mistletoe,”
by R. McLachlan, who says: ‘‘ much and interesting could be written on
the denizens of an old tuft of mistletoe;” “ Limnophilas hirsutus at sugar,”
by Geo. R. Porritt; and the usual notes on localities and captures in the
British Isles.
A review of ‘‘ Indian Museum Notes, Vol. I, No. 1,’’ which is “‘ planned
much on the same lines as ‘ Insect Life,’ and like it cannot fail to have a
beneficial effect,’’ is published and Obituary Notices of Dr. Franz Low, at
Vienna, aged 61; J. B. Géhin, at Remiremont, aged 73; and Prof. Wm.
Ramsay McNab, M. D., at Dublin, aged 45, are given. The usual ac-
counts of Society Meetings end the number.—E. M. A.
Lr NATURALISTE CANADIEN December, 1889.—With this issue comes
(paged 285-292) a separatum continuing the work on the Jassides ( Jassus
to Pediopsis). The rest of this number is of general interest, and not
especially addressed to entomologists.—E. M. A. :
——
18g0. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 31
THE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT, Dresden, Band 2, 1889, con-.
tains a very interesting and valuable paper to lepidopterists entitled: “‘ Lep-
idopteren der Insel Palawan,’’ by Dr. O. Staudinger. It covers one
hundred and seventy-seven pages enumerating two hundred and eighty-
three species collected by Dr. Platen. At the end of the paper are two
very useful lists of species, one being systematic and the other alphabetical.
About sixty new species are described, and some of them illustrated, there
being two plates, containing thirty figures, which are photographic repro-
ductions. Copious notes are given with each species listed. Among the
interesting new forms were two species of Ornithoptera. Palawan is one
of the Phillipines, and is two hundred and sixty miles long by thirty wide,
the interior being mountainous, and the west flat. The products of the
island are cowries, gold, ebony and other fine woods. Also two papers by
<. Ribbe; one on two new diurnals from Africa, and the other on new
butterflies from Banggassa, a small isle in the Celebes, illustrated by two
‘plates,.seven figures. A paper by H. Ribbe on some aberations in the
-collection of Gustav Borneman, is also of interest to lepidopterists.
H. SKINNER,
Doings of Societies.
.
COLORADO BIOLOGICAL AssociATION, West Cliff, Oct. 19, 1889.—Mr.
*Cockerell exhibited and made remarks on a number of Hymenoptera, in
«cluding Vipio coloradensis Ashm. ° , collected in the Wet Mountain Valley,
*Col. This was only the second example of. the species known.
_ December 14th Mr. S. H. Scudder was announced as a corresponding
smember. Letters from Mr. Ashmead; containing identifications of Hy-
-‘menoptera and Hemiptera, and from Rev. G. D. Hulst, containing identi-
fications of Lepidoptera, were laid before the meeting.
All these insects had been collected in Wet Mountain Valley, Custer
County, Col. The Hymenoptera included Giyphe flavipes Ashm., Ho-
-malotylus bifasciatus Ashm., etc. The Lepidoptera included two new
species: Ragonotia saganella Hulst and. Caripeta niveostriata.Hulst, and
.a species, Altoona ardiferella Hulst, of which only one specimen was
)previously known. T. D. A. CocKERELL, Sec.
_ THE ENTOMOLOGICAL Society or LONDON, Dec. 14, 1889.—Mr. W. L.
Distant exhibited on behalf of Mr. L. de Nicéville, a branch of a walnut
“tree on which was a mass of eggs laid by a new Lyczenid butterfly, which
Mr. de Nicéville had referred to a new genus and described as Cheto-
_procta odata. \t was said to occur only at elevations above 5000 feét in
N. W. India. Dr. Sharp exhibited eggs from a South American bug,
Piezosternum subulatum, which, though taken from a completely rotten
-imago, were in a perfect state of preservation. He also exhibited a speci-
32 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb.
men of Pecilochroma Lewisit, a Pentatomid bug from Japan, which,
when dampened with water, turned instantly from a dull green to a me-
tallic copper color. Mr. J. H. Leech exhibited a large number of ZLepid-
optera from Mr. Pratt, of Ichang, China, which contained fifty-six new
butterflies and forty new moths. Mr, Elwes observed only two genera in
this collection not known to be found at Sikkim. He called attention to
the similarity of the species from India, China and Java. Mr. McLachlan
remarked on having lately received a dragonfly from Simla previously only
recorded from Pekin; and Mr. Distant stated that he had lately received a
species of Cicada from Hong Kong hitherto supposed to be confined to
Java. Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher exhibited a preserved specimen and draw-
ings of a variety of the larva of Sphina ligustri. Mr. F. D. Godman
read a letter from Mr. Herbert Smith, containing an account of the Ay-
menoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera recently collected in St.
Vincent, where he was employed under the direction of a committee of
the Royal Society appointed to investigate the natural history of the West
Indies [it is understood that a work on the lines of the superb “‘ Biologia
Centrali-Americana’’ will in time be the product of this survey. ]
Mr. Elwes read a letter from Mr, Doherty descriptive of collecting at
light and sugar in the Naga Hills. Mr. Doherty expressed the opinion
that light used in out-of-the-way places repels rather than attracts; the
same applied to sugar, as insects required to be accustomed to these de-
coys, Col. Swinhoe said the attractive power of light depended on its in-
tensity and height above the ground. . He had collected over three hundred
specimens of Springide at electric light in Bombay in one night. Mr. J.
J. Walker had found electric lights very attractive in Panama. Mr. F.
Merrifield read a paper entitled, ‘“‘ Systematic Temperature Experiments
on some Lepidoptera in all their stages,” and exhibited a number of speci-
mens in illustration. Darkness of color and markings in Annomos au-
tumnaria resulted from the subjection of the pupz to a very low tempera-
ture. The same had occurred in Se/enia illustraria, where the markings
had also been altered in a very striking manner. Lord Walsingham ob-
served that exposure to cold in the pupa state appeared to produce a
darker coloring in the imago, and that forcing in that stage had an
opposite effect; that insects subjected to glacial conditions probably de-
rived some advantage from the development of dark or suffused coloring,
and that this advantage was, in all probability, the more rapid absorption
of heat. He believed an hereditary tendency in this direction was estab-
lished under glacial conditions, and that this would account for the preva-
lence of melanic forms in northern latitudes and at high elevations.
H. Goss and W. W. Fow er, Sec’s.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for January was mailed Jan. 15, 1890.
ENTOMOLOGICAL: NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. I. MARCH, 18go. - No. 3.
CONTENTS:
Wickham—Notes from Northwest........ 33 | Robertson—Notes on Bombus.............-. 39
Wadsworth—List of Dragonflies.......... 36 Tees ANG NCWS..005.,....cccdevectgesccedencssce 41
Lugger—Fond of Grammat.......--...---++ 38 | Entomological Literature................:++ 44
Ives—Method of Egg Deposition......... 39 | TRRRIBIOE SOCIO ES. 5 ao. .c0s sec erence nen scenes 48
NOTES FROM THE NORTHWEST.
BY H. F. WICKHAM.
The following notes were made on my collecting trip in the
summer of 1889, and may be of interest to the readers of ENTOo-
MOLOGICAL NEws. :
The species of Cychrus included in the subgenus Brennus are
said by Dr. Horn (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. VII, p. 176) to be ‘‘ pe-
_culiar to the true Pacific coast fauna of North America.’’ This
summer I took the common C..marginatus Fisch. at Mullan,
Mon., and again at Helena in the same State, which extends the
range a long way east. These examples differ from the western
ones by being smaller and of a more uniform black.
Carabus meander occurs in the Rocky Mountains at Mullan,
Mon.
A special search for Pselaphide brought to light only the fol-
lowing species: Ctenistes pulvereus Lec., one specimen under a
stone at The Dalles, Oregon. Three examples of Pselaphus
3
4
34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March,
evichsonii var. longiclavus Lec., many Bryaxis conjuncta Lec.
and Bry. albionica Mots. in rubbish under logs at Coeur d’ Alene,
Idaho. Zychus cognatus and Batrisus zephyrinus Casey (which
runs in collections as a/éconicus Aubé) occurs in moss at Victoria,
Vance. I.; the latter species also at Tacoma. —
Batrisus monticola Casey came to hand only once in the Cas-
cade Mountains, Yakima Co., Wash., where Bry. albionica was
also taken. A single ¢ of Bry. albionica also occurred at Vic-
toria. At Portland, Oreg., I got a specimen of Favonus cavifrons
Casey under bark. Bry. fundata is found at the Spokane Falls
late in July, under logs, and in the Rocky Mountains at Mullan,
Mon., I took a beautiful example of Zyrus corticinus Casey.
Mycetina hornii occurs occasionally under bark throughout the
Northwest, but I found in one case a colony of over. seventy-five
individuals under a single log in a burnt district of the pine forests
covering the Coeur d’Alene region. Byrrhidz seems to prefer
burnt logs for protection, as they were always more numerous
where the timber had been charred by fires. Calochromus di-
midiaia has the same habit.
In a swamp at Coeur d’ Alene I found Aphodius occidentalis in
unlimited numbers in little ditches which ran through the soft
earth. They were there by thousands, dead and living, a half
hour’s work supplying me with above seven hundred of them.
. The beetles were burrowing at random in the mud, which was -
apparently rich enough for them to live and luxuriate in, full of
decaying vegetable matter. Toads had been attracted to the feast
in numbers, and, to judge from the quantity of wing covers in
- their excrement, had made the most of their opportunity.
Amphicoma canina and A. rathvoni are day fliers, and may be
found flying in the hot sun during the early part of July, fre-
quenting the flowers of the ‘‘ Yarrow,’’ which grows abundantly
near Tacoma, where I made my observations. I do not know if
the occurrence of Cremastochilus under bark has ever been re-
ported. I took a few of them in such a situation at Coeur d’ Alene,
but they were in the company of their hosts—ants. I have called
the species Az/osicollis Horn, but there may be some little doubt
as to the correctness of the determination.
The electric lights of Spokane Falls attract great numbers of
Ergates spiculatus and Prionus californicus, so 1 made it my
business to go around every night to pick them up. They come
a, Wd
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 35
out from cracks in the sidewalks, under door-sills, and in fact
from any place where they can squeeze themselves away. Then
the fun begins, and, as I go down the street with my biggest col-
lecting bottle slung on my wrist and begin picking up the ‘‘ bugs,”’
I am a centre of attraction. Next, two policemen proceed to
** collar’ mé, and it takes half an hour of explanation to con-
vince them that I am neither an incendiary nor a fugitive from the
State asylum, and that my bottle (because, forsooth, it is marked
**poison’’) is not a deadly weapon. At length they are satisfied
though, and let me off, and I filled my bottle every night.
Leptura makes a brave show in these Northern regions, and all
the following occur on flowers: L. obliterata, soror, plagifera,
subargentata, convexa, canadensis, erythroptera, letifica, quad-
rillum, chrysocoma, crassicornis, crassipes and scripta, most of
them rather rare.
Timarcha intricata | found always under logs in moss. Whether
it feeds on this or not I cannot say. Occurs at Portland, Tacoma
and Coeur d’ Alene from early June until the beginning of August.
Chrysomela exclamationis and conjuncta are common in Idaho
(Pocatello) on Helianthus, and C. elegans on willows at various
points. C. /unata I found on rosebushes mostly, though they
also appear on grasses, sunflowers, asters, and even poison ivy.
I doubt if they eat any of these but the roses, however.
The Tenebrionidz I leave for a separate paper, and will close
with a few remarks on the Rhynchophora of the region. 7hz7-
comigus luteus is found in western Wyoming under logs and on
rose-bushes. Sz/ones is everywhere, but I am not yet able to
satisfactorily separate my series. Plinthodes teniatus I took
under logs, and the same is true of 7richalophus didymus. The
former species I took at Tacoma and Victoria, the other is found,
though rarely, over the entire northwestern corner of the United
States, and as far East as Mullan, Mon. It seems to be quite
variable in size and color.
Macrops also occurs over almost the whole region, though I
took none at Victoria. At Portland I took JZ humitis in a swamp
around the roots of grass, and on the plains of Wyoming, Mon-
tana and Nebraska I found JZ. vitticollis, tenebrosus, ulkei and
obscurellus more or less abundant.
Sphenophorus is abundant in the native grasses all through the
central region from Nebraska to eastern Oregon, and will doubt-
36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, »
less make itself felt as a serious pest to farmers when cultivation
cuts down its present food supply. Of the species I took the
following: simplex, vomerinus, ulkei, inequalis, ochreus, costi-
pennis, geniilis, parvulus and probably oblitus; all on or about
the roots of various grasses.
LIST OF THE DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA)
Taken at Manchester, Kennebec Co., Me., in 1888 and _ 1889.
BY MISS MATTIE WADSWORTH.
Tribe IL—AGRIONINA.
Subfamily 1. CALOPTERYGINA.
1. Calopteryx maculata Beauvois.
1888, June 19 to Aug. 2. Many 9 9 observed laying eggs on
plants in brook; sometime after young larve appeared in great
quantities. 1889, June 6 to Aug. 9. A common species near
brook.
Subfamily 2. AGRIONINA.
2. Argia violacea Hagen.
1888, June 23 to Aug. 2. 1889, June 19 to Aug. 9. A very
common species near brook and in road.
3. Argia putrida Hagen.
1889, June 25, four & % near lake.
4, Ischnura Ramburii Selys, 9 Orange variety.
1888, Aug. 8. 1889, May 25, 27, 30; June 7, 25, 27. In
woods, road and near brook.
5. Ischnura verticalis Say.
1889, May 25 to July 2. In woods, near brook and lake.
6. Enallagma Hageni Walsh.
1889, June 7, 2 ? 25, three % % ;near lake. July 6, two 8%,
brook.
7. Erythromma conditum Selys.
1888, June 18, in field. 1889, May 25, 28; June 27, 29; July
6. In road and near brook; not common.
8. Lestes hamata Hagen.
1889, June 12, 27; July 6, 27. Near brook and stagnant water;
but few seen.
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 37
9. Lestes rectangularis Say.
_ 1889, June 25, 27; July 1, 2, 6, 24; Aug. 25; Sept. 4. A com-
mon species near lake, brook and woods.
10. Lestes disjuncta Selys. ©
1889, July 2, 6, 8; Aug. 26; Sept. 4. Near woods, brook and
in road; not very common.
_ Tribe II.—AZSCHNINA.
Subfamily 3. ASSCHNINA.
11. Anax junius Drury.
1888, Sept. 5, 14, 25. 1889, June 25, 29; Aug. 20 to Sept. 29.
A very common species near woods, brook, etc.
12. Gompheschna furcillata Say. .
1888, July 11, one $. 1889, June 6, one 2. Near brook.
13. Aischna janata Say.
1888, June 19, one 6. Near brook.
14. 4schna verticalis Hagen.
1888, Aug. 28 to Sept. 27. 1889, July 16, 24, 26. Seen during
Sept. with 4. constricta near woods, and in pasture, near brook.
15. Aischna constricta Say.
1888, Sept. 3 to Oct. 19. 1889, Aug. 28, and occasionally
during September. Near brook and woods.
16. 43schna heros Fab.
1889, June 24, 27, 30; July 9; sae 1. Near brook and road;
not very common.
Subfamily 4. GOMPHINA.
17. Gomphus parvulus Selys.
1888, June 19, one % ; in woods. |
18. Gomphus exilis Selys. ;
1888, June 15 to July 8. 1889, May 28 to June 28. A common
species near woods, brook and road.
19. Gomphus spinosus Selys.
1888, July 13, one Q in woods. 1889, June 25, one 6 in
woods. July 5, observed one devouring a Calopteryx maculata.
20. Hagenius brevistylus Selys.
1889, June 18, one 9, in woods.
21. Cordulegaster diastatops Selys.
1888, July 11, near brook. Notcommon. 1889, June 13, one’.
(To be continued.)
38 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [March,
FOND OF GRAMMAR.
BY OTTO LUGGER. __
Entomologists all know that insects are by no means very stupid
animals, and know much more than is generally supposed. They
learn, no doubt, by experience as well as we do, but do not, as a
general rule, search for knowledge.
A few days ago a young student at the Agricultural School
complained that his books at home were badly eaten by some
insects, and as a specimen of the
damage caused by them he brought
a Norwegian grammar. And true
enough the damage done was very
plain, and the culprit, or rather
culprits, were still engaged in the
work, as may be seen in the illus-
tration. Snugly hidden in the
grammar were the larve and the
=| imago of 7yrogosita mauritanica,
_ and also the pupal skin of a third
individual, already escaped. But
- evidently the desire to inform them-
selves in the Norwegian grammar
had not been very great, or had
been too difficult for their taste.
They had not penetrated into the
grammatical mysteries, but were
| satisfied to rest contented with a
very superficial knowledge of the
same. But they had gone into it
to stay; had formed snug cells close
to the edges, and had plugged the
entrances with frass; had, so to
speak, burned the ships behind
them. Telling the boy that he
ought to be ashamed of neglecting
his books he wondered that the insects should have been able to
inform me of the fact. When I also told him to remove his books
from the vicinity of neglected flour, feed or similar things, he
looked perplexed, and said that the bugs had told me more about
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 39
his room than he knew himself, but an inspection soon showed
that the books were stored upon a board resting upon a barrel
filled with old bran. Evidently the larve, in search for suitable
quarters to transform, had wandered about and had mistaken the
covers of his books for the loose bark of trees, their usual abode.
0).
VU
An Interesting Method of Egg Deposition.
BY J. E. IVES.
_ Some time since I received from Mr. J. C. Saltar, of Pember-
ton, N. J., what appeared to be a dried-up mass of dead flies,
about the size of a man’s fist. Throughout it were scattered light-
colored fragments, which had somewhat the appearance of empty
egg-cases. The whole mass was very brittle, and readily crum-
bled to pieces. It was obtained from the under surface of the
trunk of a tree overhanging a small stream.
Being unable to obtain any information as to the nature of this
peculiar structure, I sent it to Dr. Williston, of Yale, with the
request that he would kindly examine it. He has done so, and
writes that the flies are the females of a species belonging to the
genus Atherix, probably to Atherix variegata Walk. He draws
attention to the fact that, in the Standard Natural History, p. 418,
he makes the following reference to the subject: ‘‘ The eggs of
Atherix are deposited in large, pear-shaped masses, attached to
dried branches overhanging watér. Not only do numerous fe-
males contribute to the formation of these clusters, but they re-
main there mcepcives and die; the newly-hatched larve escape
into the water.’
The instinct which leads to the formation of such a mass is a
very peculiar and interesting one.
ray
Vv
NOTES ON BOMBUS.
BY C. ROBERTSON.
In a letter addressed to me in October, 1888, Mr. Cresson ex-
pressed the suspicion that 4pathus? elatus Fab. was not a true
Apathus, but that it was probably a Bomédus, and in a letter of
November he expressed the hope that I would obtain some light
on the subject during the following summer. Accordingly, in
40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
the summer of 1889, I completed my observations, arriving at
the conclusion that Bombus americanorum Fab. is distinct from
B. pennsylvanicus De Geer, and that Apathus? elatus is its male.
I give below the synonymy of the two species with my notes
upon them:
Bombus pennsylvanicus.
Apis pensylvanica DeGeer, Mém. III, 575 (1773).
Bombus pensylvanicus Cress., P. E. S. Il, 94, 8— ¥ in part (1863).
On Aug. 22, 1888, I took the sexes of this species in copula.
The female was hanging by one foot to a leaf of Gerardia pedicu-
laria. This female bore two yellow spots on the vertex; the
scutellum had a little yellow; the first segment of the abdomen
was entirely black. From the specimens at hand I would distin-
guish the female from that of B. americanorum as follows: Vertex
always more or less yellow; scutellum more or less yellow; first
segment of abdomen black, or with a little yellow on the sides;
seen from above, the base of the labrum shows a transverse ridge
more or less interrupted medially. The worker resembles the
female.
Bombus americanorum. -
Apis americanorum Fab., Syst. Ent. 380, (1775); Ent. Syst. II, 319 (1793).
Bombus americanorum Fab., Syst. Piez. 346, (1804); St. Farg. Hym. I,
472 (1836).
Apis elata Fab., Ent. Syst. Suppl. 274, g (1798).
Bombus elatus Fab., Syst. Piez. 352, G (1804).
Apathus elatus Cress., Proc. Ent. Soc. Il, 114, of (1863).
Apathus? elatus Cress., Cat. Described Hymenop. N. A. ¢ (1887).
Apis nidulans Fab., Ent. Syst. sa 274, 3’ (1798); see Cress., Proc.
Ent. Soc. II, 165.
Bombus nidulans Fab., Syst. Piez. 349, 3 (1804).
Bombus pensylvanicus Cresul Proc. E. S. II, 94, 2 ¥ in part (1863).
In Proc. Ent. Soc. II, 164, Mr. Cresson says: ‘‘On the 11th
of September, 1863, a nest of Bombus pensylvanicus De Geer,
was captured near Gloucester, N. J. It contained 6 females, 34
workers and 21 specimens of Apathus elatus Fab., bas males.
No males of B. pensylvanicus were found in the nest.’” This
convinced me that a solution of the problem must be found in
the nests of B. pennsylvanicus. Accordingly, on Aug. 20, 1889,
I opened a nest of what I had always taken as B. pennsylvanicus.
It contained 1 female and 121 workers, and 2 males of Apathus?
elaitus. On comparing this female and the workers with the fe-
male taken in copula with B. pennsylvanicus % , 1 came to the
a
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 4I
conclusion that they were distinct, and that the nest belonged to
B. americanorum. On September gth I saw the sexes of this
species in copula. The same night I opened two nests, one con-
taining 10 females, 46 workers and 1o males, and the other con-
taining 9 females, 51 workers and 1 male.
The female of B. americanorum has the vertex always black;
the scutellum black, or with a little yellow; the first segment of
the abdomen yellow; seen from above, the base of the labrum
shows two tubercles separated by a wide interval.
The males of B. americanorum and of B. fervidus may prove
to be very much alike. Indeed the ¢ of B. americanorum re-
sembles the 9 of B. Servidus more than its own female; but I
think B. americanorum is more nearly related to ZB. Servidus than
it is to B. pennsylvanicus. B. fervidus is vi e in my neigh-
‘borhood, as I have seen but two female spéeimets. In Proc.
Ent. Soc. III, 247, Walsh mentions finding B. fervidus 2 sur-
mounted by Afathus elatus*$. He was discussing the effect of
mimicry, and he cites this as a case in which a Bombus mistook
an Apathus for one of its own species. But the mistake was
‘probably on the part of the entomologist; he had, no doubt,
taken the true sexes of 2. fervidus.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE,
[The Conductors of ENToMoLoGIcAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case tor the information of cataloguers and bibliographers. ]
=
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN MExIco.—An important scientific explora-
tion is to be made of the less known portions of Yucatan and Mexico, re-
gions which have not hitherto been systematically explored by naturalists,
except in so far as archzology is concerned. It is the object of the expe-
dition to ascertain, as a continuation of former explorations in Florida, the
general structure of the basin of the Gulf of Mexico, concerning which
there is much diversity of opinion among scientists.
The exploration will comprise, besides the geological examination of
the region, a close examination of its zoology and botany, towards which
end specialists in various departments of science will accompany the expe-
dition. The party will be under the leadership of Prof. Angelo Heilprin,
42 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March,
of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Accompanying him will be Mr.
J. E. Ives, one of Prof. Heilprin’s assistants at the Academy of Natural
Sciences, who will have charge of the marine zoology; Mr. Witmer Stone,
who will make the collections of botany and ornithology; Mr. F. C. Baker,
of conchology and general zoology and Mr. Roberts Le Boutilier, who
will be the photographer of the expedition.
Papers governing the expedition have been received from the State De-
partment at Washington addressed to the representatives of this country
in Central America and Mexico, and also from the Mexican Minister at
Washington, Senor Romero, commending the expedition to the Govern-
ment of Yucatan.
The expedition left New York by steamer February 15th, to stop first
at Progresso, Yucatan, whence the research will extend into the interior
of that State. Much of interest is expected from the expedition to this
region, as very little is known of its entomological riches,
From Yucatan the expedition will be deflected to Vera Cruz, whence
will begin the exploration of the Mexican lowland and of the volcanic belt
which stretches westward towards the Pacific. This region, like Yucatan,
despite its ready accessibility, is still to a great extent unknown to the en-
tomologist. The determination of the limitation of the range of animals
and plants and ‘the intermingling of Northern and Southern forms will
receive the first attention of the expedition.
An attempt will be made to gain the summit.of the extinct volcano of
Orizaba, 17,500 feet high, by some considered to be the loftiest peak in
Mexico, and perhaps loftiest summit of the entire North American Con-
tinent, of the complete ascent of which no trustworthy details appear to
be on record. The peak affords almost unsurpassed advantage for the
study of vertical distribution of animal and plant life, since it rises from a
base within a short distance of the sea, far beyond the limits of perpetual
snow.
From Orizaba the course will lie towards the City of Mexico, where an
examination will be made of the lakes lying on the Mexican plateau. An
ascent will be made from this point of the neighboring peak of Popocate-
petl, which rises to approximately the same height as Orizaba, but is much
more accessible than that mountain.
From the valley of Mexico the expedition will take a westerly course,
having in view the passage of the Sierra Madre Mountains and a descent
to the Pacific coast. The still active voleanic-foci will be made the feature
of this research.
The volcano of Colima, 12,500 feet, in elevation, whose recent furious
eruption gave evidence that the volcano was not, as generally supposed,
extinct, and which threatened the existence of Zapotlan, will probably be
the limit of the expedition, although a further attempt to reach Jorullo,
rendered famous by Humboldt’s narrative, may be made.
The exact route of the return journey has not yet been determined
upon. It is expected, however, that it will reach home before midsummer.
a so
( ae
a i a a >
T§go. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 43
A large part of the region to be traversed will lie away from civilization,
necessitating travel by primitive methods, and for some distance probably
the protection of an armed escort will be necessary, especially in the re-
gion of the revolted Indian tribes of Yucatan.
The expedition is organized under the auspices of the Academy of
Natural Sciences, which has received the co-operation of its individual
members, and also of the American Philosophical and American Ento-
mological Societies.
This expedition, it is stated, is the first extensive one that has been or-
ganized by a scientific institution in this country to be sent.outside of the
bounds of the United States for many years, and its results are awaited
with a great deal of interest by scientists.
The entomological collections, which will be made in all orders, will be
distributed among the leading specialists, and the conclusions reached by
them will be published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia, or in the Transactions of the American Ento-
mological Society. The narrative of the ata will probably be pub-
lished in separate book form.
Editor ENromoLocicat News :—I should like to ask sonie of your
readers if Sudbury, Ontario, is not a very Northern locality for Calosoma
scrutator? \ have always understood that if ever found North of the Great
Lakes it came only as a shipwrecked mariner. While looking under pine
bark for A/aus myops \ast spring, of which I took nineteen specimens in a
few days, I found a fresh, living, full-sized specimen of C. scrutator.
Altogether, I took some 450 different species of beetles here last season,
but cannot get more than half of them named. Z/ateride were peculiarly
plentiful. I took some 200 individuals and nearly 30 species; also 42 spe-
cies of Carabide and 21 of water beetles. My prize is a large green in-
sect, apparently a Cantharis, but certainly not one of the common Caz-
tharid@; also several Cerambycide and Pyrochroide that local entomolo-
gists cannot determine.
Lepidopterists will be interested to know that Co/as interior, both male
and female, are quite common here in the season.—E. D. PETERS, JR.
Hop Worms.—Late last August I found several larve feeding in the
Hop (Humulus lupulus). I removed portions of the stems, cutting five
or six inches above and below the swellings, and placed them in a box
used for feeding larvee. In about three weeks the imagos emerged, prov-
ing to be Gortyna rutila Guén. The vine from which they were taken
was literally riddled with them. No description of the larvze was taken at
the time, but I hope to be able next season to give a more detailed account
of them. Two broods of Gortyna nitela, with its variety nebris, were
raised in the same manner. The larve were feeding in the stems of the
great rag-weed (Ambrosia trifida). This larva feeds also in the stems of
‘burdock (Arctium lappa). As far as my experience goes, all the Gortynz
are internal feeders. —C. A. BLAKE.
44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March,
A CORRESPONDENT in Hardeeville, S. C., says he ‘‘ witnessed a most
wonderful phenomenon: from noon to sundown, with a gentle wind blow-
ing from the southwest and a perfectly clear sky, a shower of white
balls filled the air and covered the ground for a space of ten miles square,
with a gentle shower of a white fleecy substance, as fine as silk, which
was very strong when twisted. He was unable to account for its pres-
ence there, and had never seen anything like it before.’” The same thing
occurs here every autumn, but I never saw it as abundant as the cor-
respondent describes. The little’ balls referred to are the flocculi, or
remains of the web of which the spiders make their cocoons, the excess
being cut off and floats away.—C. A. BLAKE.
A NEEDLEss ALARM.—Some time ago a certain entomologist in one
of the leading cities of the country who, on the Sabbath days, strives to
enlighten a large and aristocratic congregation in the mysteries of the
gospel, but beguiles his leisure moments by the pursuit of hexapods, hap-
pened to find a heap of refuse lying near a humble dwelling in the out-
skirts of the city aforesaid. The gentlemen is a devoted student of lepid-
opterology, but bags the beetles, also, as they chance to fall in his way.
The most prominent object on the ash heap was an antiquated and effete
ham, upon which numerous carrion beetles were disporting themselves.
Recognizing the find as worthy of his attention, he began to collect the
insects upon it. He had barely begun his malodorous task when he dis-
covered that he was being observed, and a strident female voice from the
second story of the humble dwelling rang out an excited warning—‘*‘ Law
sakes! man alive that ham is spiled! Nancy and me throwed it out day
before yesterday! It’s all blowed! Law sakes! you don’t be after gatherin’
up such truck as that, be ye? A well dressed man like you un hadn't
orter to be rakin’ in old ash heaps after somethin’ to eat. -Ef you’re hun-
gry come in the house an’ I’ll give you a bite. But (and here the voice rose
to a shrill falsetto), mercy me! leave that old ham alone! It’s spiled! I
tell you it’s spiled!’’ The clergyman, who carried under his waistband
reminders of an elegant luncheon served an hour or two before, cannot
cease to smile at the memory of the position into which his entomological
ardor had brought him in the eyes of the old dame, from whom he es-
caped as she was coming down-stairs to open the door and offer him the
hospitalities of her little home.—ANon.
Entomological Literature.
IL NATURALISTA SICILIANO.—Anno IX, No. 1, October, 1889. [Re-
ceived January, 1890.]—Contains ‘‘ Lepidotteri nuovi della Sicilia,” ( 77-
neid@) by F. Wocke. ‘‘ Note Lepidotterologiche (cont.),” by E. Ragusa;
brief notes on species running from Antigastra to Aciptiia. “ Helo-
chares nigritulus n. sp. (habitat Sicilia),’”” by Kuwert. ‘ Tavola sinottica
. dei Gyrinus di Sicilia,’’ [synoptic table of the Sicilian species of the genus
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 45
Gyrinus] by E. Ragusa. ‘‘Coleotteri nuovi o poco conosciuti della Sicilia
(cont.)”” [new or little known Sicilian Coleoptera] by E. Ragusa; no new
species described in this part. ‘Una nota sulla Chalcis Dalmannii,” by
T. DeStefani. This number is accompanied by the indices for Vol. VIII
of this journal.
THE WORK OF A DECADE UPON FossIL INSECTS 1880-1889, by S. H.
‘Scudder [Annual address of the retiring president of the Cambridge En-
tomological Club Jan. 10, 1890. Excerpt from “‘ Psyche,” January, 1890. ]
The author here gives a comprehensive and very readable account of the
work accomplished in this field in the decade just ended; a field in which,
as is well known, he has been the principal laborer. In speaking of the
relative abundance of fossil insects the author says : “During the past
summer, in explorations for the Geographical Survey, I found that the
strata of a considerable tract of country, certainly many, probably hun-
dreds of square miles in extent, lying in western Colorado and eastern
Utah, were packed with fossil insects as closely as at Florissant. There
can hardly be any doubt that we shall soon be able in our Western terri-
tories to rehabilitate successive faunas as successfully as has been done
with many of our vertebrate types, and as has not yet been done for in-
sects in any country in the world. * * What we really need is a score
of trained workers to ‘go in and possess the land.’ No one would wel-
come them more heartily than one who is almost a solitary worker in the
American field.”’
BIoLoGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA, Part LXXX of Zoology; November,
1889.—[Received January, 1890. ]|—Contains “‘ ARACHNIDA ARANEIDEA,”’
by O. Pickard Cambridge, pp. 41-48, pl. iv, 83 figs., 18 colored; 11 new
species are described from the genera Epeira, Turckheimia and Carepal xis.
CoLropTerA as follows: Vol. III, part I, pp. 145-168, plates vii and viii,
46 figs. 20 colored. This portion on the Buprestide contains the descrip-
tions by C. O. Waterhouse, of many new species, usually illustrated in
colors. Vol. VI, part I, Supplement, pp. 153-168, plate xxxix, 34 figs. 25
colored. Many new species are here described by M. Jacoby, entirely
from Pachybrachys and Chlamys. ‘‘ LEPIDOPTERA Rhopalocera, Vol. II,”
by F. D. Godman and O. Salvin; pp. 153-184, plates Ixiii and Ixiv, 55 figs.
all colored. This part contains the systematic consideration of the group
from Colias cesonia to Enantia virgo. The pale Terias, allied to mexi-
cana in pattern, which was returned as from the Mt. Graham Range in
Arizona is here determined (with an excellent figure) as 7. Botsduvaliana
Feld. = imgrata Feld. = gratiosa Reak. = mexicana Boisd. in ‘Sp.
Gen.”’ The synonymy as worked out in this part is most instructive to
the student. ‘“‘ LEprpopreERA HETEROCERA, Vol. I,’’ by H. Druce, pp. 321-
336, contains the systematic treatment of this suborder from Dyofs
ocellata to Anomis agiliacea. While reviewing this stupendous work it
may interest our readers to know that the following entomological volumes
have been completed : Coleoptera, Vol. I, part 1 (Adephaga), by H. W.
Bates; Vol. I, part 2 (Adephaga, etc.), by D. Sharp; Vol. III, part 2 (Mada-
46 ‘ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March,
codermata), by H. S. Gorham; and Vol. V (Longicornia), by H. W.
Bates and (Bruchides) by D. Sharp. These fgur volumes contain 2088
pages and 69 plates, with many hundred figures. In addition several other
volumes on Coleoptera are well under way. Vol. I of the Rhopalocera is
complete, save the index and title, running through the suborder from
Danais plexippus to Isaphis hera. ?
Insect LiFe, Vol. II, No. 6, December, 1889 (Received Jan. 14, 1890).
It hardly seems worth while to enumerate the usual richness of the monthly
issues of this most excellent periodical, as it may be had from the U. S.
Department of Agriculture for the asking; no entomologist can afford to
‘be without it. Besides short notes on ‘‘ The Official Association of Econ-
omic Entomologists,’’ ‘“‘ Entomology at the Paris Exposition,’ ‘‘The
Mediterranean Flour-moth,’’ ‘‘ Spider-bites,’’ ‘‘ Scent in Dung beetles,”
“Beetles from Stomach of a Chuck-wills-widow,’’ ‘‘ A harvest-mite de-
stroying the eggs of the Potato beetles,” ‘Injury to grass from Gastro-
physa polygoni,”’ ‘““Damage to Pine by Rhagium lineatum,” Notes on.
“« Vedalia’”’ and ‘‘On Hematobia serrata,” there are longer papers on
“The so-called Mediterranean Flour-moth,’’ with illustrations; ‘‘ The
Ox-warble (Hypoderma bovis), illustrated;” ‘‘ Association of Economic
Entomologists—First Annual Meeting,’ by L. O. Howard, secretary pro.
tem.; ‘Office and Laboratory Organization,’ by S. A. Forbes. Follow-
ing these are ‘‘ General Notes”’ on “‘ Oviposition of Tragidion fulvipenne,”
“Insects injuring the tea-plant in Ceylon,’’ ““On some gall-making insects
in New Zealand,” ‘Dr. Franz Low” and ‘‘ Eugene Maillot,’ obituary ~
notices, and the usual quota of purely economic notes.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF TYPICAL SPECIMENS OF LEPIDOPTERA HETEROCERA
IN THE COLLECTION OF THE BRITISH MusEuM, Part 7, by Arthur Gardiner
Butler, 1889, contains an account of a collection of Macro-Lepidoptera —
made in the district of Kangra India by the Rev. J. H. Hocking in the
years 1877-79, chiefly at Dharmsala. The number of species amounts to
upwards of 780, many reared from larva. “There is a systematic list and
a list of descriptions with notes. Vol. VII consists of 124 pages, 18 fine
colored lithographic plates representing 249 figures.
In the Compres RENDUS HEBDOMADAIRES DES SEANCES DE LA So-
CIETE DE BIOLOGIE (Paris) ninth series, 1890, No. 1.—M. Gaston Bouchet
has a short note on the “‘ Action of the Venom of the Hymenoptera on
the gray wall-lizard.’”” He states that he caused some wasps, bees, and
other hymenopters to sting some gray lizards, some of which received
eight or ten stings on the most sensitive parts, such as the eyelids, tongue,
etc. In most cases the piercer remained sticking in the flesh. The lizards
apparently suffered little pain, and no inflammation was visible at the
places stung. None of the lizards who were stung died.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, ARTS,
AND LETTERS, Vol. VII, 1883-87 (published 1889), contains a paper on the
Attidz of North America by George W. and Elizabeth G. Peckham. 32
:
op eile ou eel
1890. ]_ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47
genera and 79 species are described, including both new genera and spe-
cies, and six plates figure details. Also by the same authors and Wm. H.
Wheeler “Spiders of the Subfamily Lyssomanz”’ (of the world); a num-
ber of new species are described. We have not seen plates xi and xii
intended to accompany this paper.
In the SCHRIFTEN DES NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHEN VEREINS FUR
ScHLESWIG-HOLsTEIN (Kiel), Bd. VIII, Heft 1, 1889, W. Wiistnei con-
tinues his notes on the Hymenoptera of Schleswig-Holstein in his third
“ Beitrage zur Insectenfauna Schleswig-Holsteins.”’
In Le Nartur.isteE (Paris) for Jan. 15, 1890, L. Planet describes the
larva and nymph of He/ops striatus, with woodcuts, and P. Dognin de-
scribes three new species of Lepidoptera from Zamora, belonging to the
genera Fidonia and Acidalia.
SITZUNGSBERICHTE DER KONIGL. BOHMISCH. GESELL. D. WISSEN-
SCHAFTEN (Prague), 1889, I, contains ‘‘ Revision der in Kolenatis Tri-
chopteren-Sammlung enthaltenen Arten,’’ by Fr. Klapalek—a synonymical
article.
ATTI DELLA SOCIETA DEI NATURALISTI DI MODENA, Serie III, Vol. VIII,
fascic. ii, 1889 (published in Italian), has ‘‘ Notes on Arachnida received
from South America,’”’ by G. Boeris, describing four new species.
H. Prers in Proc. and Trans. Nova Scotia Inst. Nat. Science, Vol. VII,
pt. iii, describes a larva of the May-beetle with parasitical fungus.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Vol. XVI,
Jan.-Dec., 1889, (380 pp. 8 plates), contains a Revision of the species of
Cardiophorus Esch. of America north of Mexico. by Frederick Blanchard;
On the species of Macrops Kirby, inhabiting N. America (plate I), by
W. G. Dietz, M.D.; Contributions to a knowledge of the Lepidoptera of
West Africa, Paper II, (plates 2-4), and Descriptions of new species of
Japanese Heterocera, by Rev. W. J. Holland; Synopsis of N. Am. species
of the genus Oxybelus, by Chas. Robertson; Two new species of butter-
flies, by H. Skinner, M.D.; Catalogue of Coleoptera common to N. Am.,
Northern Asia and Europe, with the distribution and bibliography, by John
Hamilton, M.D.; a Synopsis of the Halticini of Boreal America (pls. 5-7),
by George H. Horn, M.D ; Contributions towards a monograph of the
Noctuidz of temperate N. Am.—Revision of the species of Oncocnemis
(plate 8), by John B. Smith; and Proceedings of the monthly meetings
of the Entomological Section of Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia for the year
1889. :
ERRATA.
Page 5, line 22, read type of coloration contrary to what obtains, etc.
“ 15, line 30, for Tenzera read Zeugera.
19, line 1, for worm read worn.
20, line 25, for from read forms.
20, line 33, for marked read naked.
48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
Doings of Societies.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 1889. Mr.
Lugger read some notes on ‘‘ The migration of the Archippus butterfly,’
and gave an interesting study of their spring and fall movements. He
noted similar migration in V. cardui. Dr. Thaxter stated that he had
found Archippus wintering along the Gulf of Mexico in vast numbers.
Mr. Howard read a paper on ‘‘ A few additions and corrections to Scud-
*der’s Nomenclator Zéologicus.’”’ Mr. Marlatt gave ‘‘ Notes on the abun-
dance of oak-feeding Lepidopterous larve this fall,’ and mentioned twelve
species of Macrolepidopterous larve taken in the course of about an hour.
Mr. Schwarz read a paper entitled, ‘‘ Caprification,’’ and Mr. Townsend a
paper on ‘‘ The fall occurrence of Bidio and Dilophus.”’ In discussion on
the last paper it was conceded that the autumnal occurrence was due to
acceleration of development. W. H. Fox, M. D., Rec. Sec.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILA-
DELPHIA, Jan. 23, 1890.—A meeting of this Section of the Academy was
held January 23d, Dr. Geo. H. Horn, President, in the chair. Members
present: Messrs. McCook, Ridings, Martindale, Skinner, Calvert, Liebeck,
Wells, Westcott and several visitors. Dr. Horn exhibited some drawings
illustrating points of interest in the comparative anatomy of the species in
the genus Cercyon, and stated that most of the species were either intro-
duced, or also found in Europe. The classification of the species and
facts in their geographical distribution were discussed at length. Dr.
McCook exhibited the first volume of his new book entitled, ‘‘ American
Spiders and their Spinning Work; A Natural History of the Orbweaving
Spiders of the United States.”” He gave a resumé of the volume, and ~
also some interesting generalizations on the facts in their natural history.
On a question from one of the members Dr. McCook made some instruc-
tive remarks on Spiders as mathematicians. Dr. Skinner called attention
to the donations to the cabinet: Mrs. A. T. Slosson presented a.specimen —
of Ecpantheria denudata described by herself, from Florida; Erebia mag-
dalena and Argynnis frigga var. Saga; two rare species, from Colorado,
from Mr. Aaron; a type specimen of Pamphila Aaroni and two exotic
butterflies donated by Dr. Skinner.—For the Recorder by H. SKINNER.
THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Jan. 23, 1890.—At a busi-
ness meeting of the Society held after the Section meeting, as above, the
sum of $100 was voted toward defraying the expense of the expedition
to Mexico to be undertaken under the auspices of the Academy of Natural
Sciences and the direction of Prof. Angelo Heilprin. Prof. Heilprin
was elected a member of the Society, and Dr. W. M. Crowfoot a corre-
spondent. The President announced the death of Mr. J. Frank Knight,
one of the oldest members of the Society, and for a number of years
Recording Secretary.—For the Secretary by H. SKINNER.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for January was mailed Jan. 31, 1890.
‘
-
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. I. APRIL, 18go. No. 4.
S
CONTENTS:
Hamilton—Inhabitants of a Hickory- , Wadsworth—List of Dragonflies.......... 55
nut Hull BIE sect sveeshinnictston 49 | Notes and NewS.......cccsccccssseseseereeceroes 57
Skinner—Notes on Lepidoptera........... 51 Entomological Literature............020+++ 59
Liebeck—Notes on Coleoptera. «+... 52 Queries and AnswefrS........-sssssseessesesees 62
Horn—Notes on Elaterid2e.......++0+0 ss 53 | Doings of Societies..............ccscsssresesees 63
The Inhabitants of a Hickory Nut Hull.
BY JOHN HAMILTON, M. D.
While collecting Hickory-nuts last October the hulls or husks
of several of the species were observed to be inhabited by some
lepidopterous larvee, and to ascertain their parentage, some of
these hulls were thrown into a capped glass-jar and kept in my
office.
January 8th, two % specimens of a beautiful hymenopterous
parasite appeared belonging, according to Mr. Cresson, to the
genus Pimpla. On cutting open one of the hulls a nearly ma-
tured 9 nymph was found in its host’s cell, of which all that
remained was the horny head; the long ovipositor ascended over
the tip of the abdomen and extended along the centre of the
back reaching the labrum. This example lay naked in the cell
formed by the larva of the moth, having made no cocoon.
February goth, two moths appeared, and another small, but —
beautiful parasite, which Mr. Cresson determined to be Phanero-
toma (Sigalphus) tibialis Hald. (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 2d
S., iv, 203) the larva of which forms a thick silky cocoon in the
4
50 ; ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
cell of its devoured host, though three or four crawled out and
spun up against the glass. This species has heretofore been
known to prey on the larve of another Hickory Tortricid which
feeds on the leaves, Acrobasis carye Grote, Papilio I, 13 and 14.
It is much smaller than the Pimpla, which may be accounted for
by the fact that the larva of the latter wastes none of its substanee
in forming a cocoon, and the perfect insect appears much larger
than its host. :
The moth was courteously determined by Prof. C. H. Fernald,
and proves to be a Tortricid. long known to microlepidopterists
as an inhabitant of Hickory-nut hulls. It was first described by
Fitch (N. Y. Agric. Rept. xvi, 459, 1856) under the name Zphzp-
pophora caryana, now Grapholitha; and again by Shimer (Trans.
Am. Ent. Soc. II, 394) as Grapholitha carye. The larva when
full grown excavates a cell in the hull several times larger than itself,
which it lines with a silky gum. It is then about .25 inch. in
length, white, except a luteous head, and 16-footed. The pupa
is pale clay colored, .20 inch. long, and has on the posterior mar-
gin of each segment a transverse row of erect teeth which enables
it to move about its large cell with great ease. The anterior wing
cover of the moth is dusky black, with a sprinkling of scales—
golden, purple and blue, and a silvery blotch near the tip. Ex- —
panse .50 to .60 inch.
The nuts attacked in their earlier stages usually abort. and fall,
or fail to produce a perfect kernel. In furnishing these beautiful
parasites nature has been very kind to the country and village
boys, as without this protection Hickory-nut hunting mone not
often be one of their chief autumnal pleasures.
A full grown larva, while under observation, stepped from the
table, but like its leaf-rolling kindred, it let itself down very gently
by a suddenly improvised thread. This was rather a surprise, as
it is not known to leave the interior of the hull voluntarily till it
comes forth with wings. Some evolutionists may interpret this
as proof of an ancestry that had business in the outside world.
In compliance with my request, Mr. E. T. Cresson has kindly
furnished a description of the Pimpla.
[Pimpla grapholithe n. sp.—2. Head rufopiceous, smooth and shining;
vertex, face and mandibles, except tips, fusco-testaceous; palpi and scape
beneath white, remainder of antennz black; thorax smooth and polished,
mpunctate, fulvous or honey yellow; metathorax piceous; tegulz white;
EE ———
Me TE Se
aes
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 51
wings hyaline, iridescent, nervures brown-black, upper nervure of third
discoidal cell bent downwards at about the middle, so that the cell is nar-
rowed at base; legs, including coxze, white; spot on coxe and trochanters
within, broad stripe on femora within, tips of four posterior tibiz and of
their tarsal joints, black; abdomen brown-black, rather closely punctured,
segments 2-5 above with a rounded elevation on each side about the mid-
dle; segment; 1 and 3-5 quadrate; segment 2 rather longer than broad;
Ovipositor as long as the body, honey-yellow, sheaths black. Length .4o
inch. —
3. —More slender than the 9 ; head, metathorax and abdomen jet-black;
face with a fine whitish pubescence; all the abdominal segments liner
than broad and clothed with a short, fine, whitish. sericeous pubescence;
basal segment above with a longitudinal central groove. Length .37—.40
inch.
Described from one female in collection Amer. Ent. Soc. from
Missouri, and two males reared by Dr. Hamilton, as stated above.
SS SO ]
Cr)
Vv
NOTES ON LEPIDOPTERA.
BY HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
A SPHINX NOT KNOWN IN AMERICAN COLLECTIONS.—Proto-
parce dalica was described by Kirby in Trans. Ent. Soc. London
(1877), p. 243. Locality Canada. There is a good igaite of it
on page 70 in the “ Aid to the Identifications of Insects,’ Vol. 1,
by C. O. Waterhouse. Dr. H: Strecker thinks this is an aber-
rant form of P. rustica, and such it will likely prove to be.
ARCTIA PALLIDA Pack.—Prof. J. B. Smith, in ‘‘ Can. Ent.’’
February, 1890, p. 35, says ‘‘ the type of pal/ida is in the collec-
tion of the Am. Ent. Soc., where I have ‘several times seen it.
It is certainly not an Arctia, but perhaps nearer Seivarctia.’’ The
specimen in the collection of the Society was marked type on the
authority of Mr. Aaron. He showed it to Prof. Packard, when
he was here on a visit, who said he thought it might be his type.
The specimen has a Pennsylvania locality label on it, and also
Dr. Lewis’ name. In the original description of the species Prof.
Packard says, ‘‘I am indebted to Mr. Calverly for the loan of
this fine, and apparently very rare species.’’ Locality given is,
New York. The specimen in question, in my opinion, is an aber-
ration of Hyphantria cunea of Drury, but it also answers to the
description of A. pallida. Is pallida known to exist? has any
one the species? Is our specimen the type?
52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
In ‘‘ Notes on Cuban Sphingidz,’’ Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila., p.
79, 1865, Mr. Grote refers to Ginosanda noctuiformis Walker,
and refers to the specimens in the collection Ent. Soc. of Phila.
which came from Cuba, and were presented by Prof. Poey, being
No. 835 of his MS. catalogue. I have compared these with speci-
mens in our North American collection labeled Cautethia Grotet
Hy. Edwards, and can see no specific differences. If there is
no difference between the Florida and Cuban specimens it seems
likely that there is but one species inhabiting the West Indies
and that Walker’s type from San Domingo represents the same
thing. If but one species is found in San Domingo, it will prob-
ably be found to be identical with the one inhabiting Cuba and
Florida.
SOME SynonyMyY.—Phyciodes tanthe Fab., = Acca hera Hiib.
Samml. Ex. Schmett. Band 2, figs. 1 and 2 $8, 3and4 9 =
Eresia Texana Edw., Pr. Ent. Soc. cage 2, 81, 1863, = = Smer-
dis Hew., Ex. But. 3, pl. 5.
().
Vv
NOTES ON COLEOPTERA.
BY CHAS. LIEBECK.
While visiting some friends near Landisville, N. J., during the
summer of 1888, my attention was-directed to the damage caused
by the common Rose bug, Macrodactylus subspinosus Fab., to
the young grapes in their vineyard, situated about two hundred
yards from their house. About the same time they planted a few
rose bushes of the common free blooming variety in front of the
house. In June, 1889, the beetles again made their appearance
in large numbers, but showed a decided preference for the roses,
not molesting the vines in the least. The bushes, at a short dis-
tance, appeared to be scorched, but a nearer view showed that
they were being devoured by the beetles, and although the bushes
had grown to a large size, bearing hundreds of buds and flowers,
none seemed to have escaped their voracity. If others similarly
afflicted would plant a hedge of roses in the vicinity of their vine-
yard it may prevent damage by this pest to their grapes.
TWO NOVEL BEETLE TRAPS.
During the warm days in the early spring of last year I was
_collecting Coleoptera in the fields towards evening, taking such
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 53
species as generally fly just before dark. I usually selected a
piece of meadow-land with a bank of earth five or six feet high
running through it, thus making it easier to see the insects against
the horizon as they flew over. Accompanied by a white setter
dog, I happened to glance at him while sitting by my side and
noticed a number of specimens running along his back among
the hair. I captured these, and laughable as it may seem, there-
after found it much more profitable to send him running along
the top of the bank and act as a trap, than by the usual method.
I took numbers of small Carabidz, Staphylinidze, Scydmeenide,
Pselaphidze and Nitidulide in this way, which were evidently
attracted by his white coat in the semi-darkness. A wide ditch,
the surface of which was covered with a small floating water plant,
a species of Lemna, served as the other trap. A large swamp-
oak on its borders was very attractive at night to numbers of Lach-
nosterna, which, in returning to the ground in the morning, flew
into the water, no doubt mistaking it for solid ground, where they
staid until their sluggish movements met the eyes of a collector
happening that way soon after, when they were immediately fished
out and transferred to his bottle. Although a large number of
specimens were taken, I believe, but two species were represented,
L. micans Knoch. and L. hirticula Knoch.
NOTES ON ELATERIDA. —
BY GEO. H. HORN, M. D.
In the Annales Soc. Ent. Belg., 1889, Dr. Candeze resumes his
descriptions of Elateridz in a ‘‘ Quatrieme fascicule’’ of fifty-seven
pages. The descriptions are brief, but ample, and concerning
them he makes the following comment, which I translate :
‘*Entomologists have been often able to observe that it is not
the longest descriptions which are the best. By too many details,
in which one loses himself, and which apply definitely and very
oftén to the specimen only which the describer had before him, it
becomes impossible to figure to one’s self the species which it is
desired to recognize.”’
The following North American species are described :
Alaus canadensis. Allied to myops, but with the dark color of me-
lanops. \ have aspecimen from Canada which responds fairly to the
description, which seems hardly specifically different from myops.
54 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April,
Monocrepidius peninsularis. Compared by Candeze with ves-
pertinus, and from the series in my cabinet, certainly a variety
of it. Florida.
Heteroderes lantus. The species of Heteroderes were included
by LeConte in Monocrepidius. From the description /antus is
about the size of vesfertinus, and of the color of sordidus. It is
of the type (fide Cdz) of certain East Indian species, and I sus-
pect requires further confirmation as a member of our fauna.
Florida.
Dr. Candeze, in passing, speaks of the revision of Drasterius
by LeConte in 1884 (posthumous), and says that the union of
several under the name e/egans seems ‘‘rigoreuse.’’ It is prob-
able that sufficient cause determined such action on LeConte’s
part.
Melanotus peninsularis. This is the species determined by
LeConte as clandestinus Er. and distributed as such in all our col-
lections. Florida.
Corymbites trunculentus. Black, thorax with ferruginous side
margin; elytra ferruginous brown. Allied to volitans and sagit-
ticollis. Long. 14 mm. California.
Corymbites urostigma. Brown, elytra with apical testaceous
spot; third joint of antennz long. Long. 13 mm. California.
Corymbites gracilis. AZneo- -piceous, third joint of antennz
shorter than the fourth. This is, without doubt, C. monticola
Horn, from the same region. N. California and Oregon.
C. floridanus. Closely allied to divaricatus, and differing in
having the hind angles shorter and not divaricate. My examina-
tion of a specimen sent me led me to believe it merely a variety
of that species. Long. 9 mm. Florida.
Asaphes Lecontei. This is a species which has long been in
our cabinets unnamed, as I have never been able to satisfy my-
self as to the proper genus. It is of piceous color, elytra yellow-
ish testaceous, the suture and border darker.
Sericus Behrensi. This is Sericosomus incongruus Lec., dhich
Candeze seems to have lost sight of. The name is in his index
as Atractopterus incongruus, but no mention of it occurs in the
volume.
In addition to the above I desire to make known two interesting
items furnished me by correspondents :
1890.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 55
Megapenthes limbalis Hbst., is the male, and granulosus the
female of the same species. Mr. M. Linell informs me that they
have several times been taken in copulation by himself and others.
Certainly, all the specimens I have seen confirm this, as the one
is always male the other female.
Corymbites inflatus Say, is the male, And crassus the female of
the same species. To Mr. Frederick Blanchard this information
is due, and he has made the same observation here as has been
made in the preceding species. |
va’
LIST OF THE DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA)
Taken at Manchester, Kennebec Co., Me., in 1888 and 1889.
BY MISS MATTIE WADSWORTH.
(Continued from p. 37, Vol. I.)
22. Cordulegaster maculatus Selys.
1888, June 19, to July 11. 1889, May 15, June 6, 13, 22, 24.
This species not very common, but several $ $ seen on dates
mentioned flying directly over brook and following its course.
Few 2 2 observed.
23. Cordulegaster obliquus Say.
1889, June 29, one %, near brook.
Tribe IIIL—LIBELLULINA.
Subfamily 5. CORDULINA.
24, Macromia transversa Say.
1888, May 27, to July 10. 1889, May 15 to June 25. A very
common species in woods, field and near brook.
25. Epitheca Walshii Scud.
1888, July 16, one %, near brook.
26. Epitheca forcipata Scud.
1889, May 29, one %, in woods.
27. Cordulia semiaquea Burm.
1888, June 15 to July 9. 1889, May 15 to June 28. A very
common species in woods, near water and everywhere.
28. Cordulia lepida Selys.
1888, July 11, one @, near brook.
56 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
29. Cordulia libera Selys.
1889, June 6, one ¢.
30. Cordulia Uhleri Selys.
1889, May 18, 23, 25, two $, three 9 taken. All near road.
31. Cordulia princeps Hagen. ’
1889, June 19, 24, one taken each day. Near road and brook.
32. Cordulia new? species.
1889, May 29, one 92, near woods.
Subfamily 6. LIBELLULINA.
33. Libellula exista Say.
1888, June 15; July 7, 9. 1889, May 18 to June 25. This
species quite common near woods and brook.
34 Libellula quadrimaculata Linn.
1888, June 19; July 8-11. 1889, May 15 to June 24. A com-
mon species in 1889.
35. Libellula pulchella Drury.
1888, July 7 to Aug. 2. 1889, June 25 to July 16. This species
observed near water, woods, and in open fields.
36. Libellula incesta Hagen.
1889, June 18, 19, 22, 25; July 9, 16. But few of this species
taken. Near lake, woods, and in road.
37. Libellula semifasciata Burm.
1889, June 21, one % ; July 11, one 8. Near brook.
38. Leucorhinia intacta Hagen.
1888, June 16, one %, in open field. 1889, May 25 to July 4.
A very common species (1888) near brook, woods and road.
39. Leucorhinia proxima (Hagen mss.) Calvert.
1888, July 10, 11, 16. One % taken each day, all near brook.
40. Diplax rubicundula Say.
1888, June 29 to July 30. 1889, June 28 to Aug, 21. A very
common species everywhere.
41. Diplax vicina Hagen.
1888, Aug. 1 to Oct. 11. 1889, Aug. 3 to Oct. 9. This Spe-
cies also very common everywhere.
42. Diplax costifera (Uhler ms.) Hagen.
1888, Sept. 6. 1889, Aug. 2 to Sept, 14. This species quite
common, but all taken were females.
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57
43. Diplax new? species.
_ 1888, Aug. 6, one %, five o’clock P. M., in field.
One or two specimens of each of the species mentioned in the
foregoing list were identified by Mr. Philip P. Calvert, of Phila-
delphia, and from these the others were identified by me. All
the species noted were taken in Manchester, Kennebec Co., M
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
{The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit; and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author's name will be given
in each case tor the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
“4
Vv
““ ENTOMOLOGY must always be, as it undoubtedly is at this time, not only
a useful, but a popular study, and must contribute, perhaps, more than any
other to the enjoyment and recreation, mental and physical, of those dwel-
lers in towns who possess a true appreciation of the pleasures and interests
attaching to country life. I think it would be difficult to over-estimate the
civilizing and refining effect which a day in the country with the object of
gaining an insight into the marvels of natural creation, none the less won-
derful because in themselves common and widely distributed, must have
upon the minds and characters of all who seek such enjoyment.’’—LorpD
WALSINGHAM.
Writinc from Darjeeling, British Sikkim, under date of Jan. 13, 1890,
Miss Adele M. Fielde refers to a visit she paid to the shop of Mr. Paul
Mowis, dealer in Tibetan curios and butterflies, 1 Victoria Terrace. Mr.
Moéwis is one of the five Europeans who has ever traveled in Tibet. He
makes very valuable collections of Himalayan butterflies, which he sends
to museums in all countries. He exhibited to Miss Fielde the male of a
pair of butterflies ( 7eizopalpus imperialis) whose mate he had sold to a
museum in Berlin for £25 sterling. This was the largest sum he had ever
received for an insect. The male was exquisitely beautiful, bright green
and gold. The female was said to have “‘six tails.’’
Miss Fielde incloses a beetle of the family Chrysomelidz, which she ob-
tained from a ragged girl on the Himalayas, who brought it to the train
for sale. When she took the insect in her hand she at first thought it must
have been artificially gilded, so truly like metallic gold was its ornamenta-
tion. This does not remain after death.
Dr. Davip SHarp, the eminent entomologist, and late President of the
Entomological Society of London, has accepted the appointment of Cu-
rator of Zéology in the Museum of the University of Cambridge. -
58 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ April,
In answer to Dr. Skinner’s article in ENTOMOLOGICAL News, Vol. 1, p.
20, in which he desires to correct an error I made in describing the cocoon
of Callosamia angulifera, | should like to say that the cocoon of amgu-
lifera, which I bred, could only be distinguished from that of Promethea
by its larger size. I have also distinct evidence that the larva of amgu-
lifera will spin a silken thread, by means of which it hangs to branches of
trees. The cocoon of angu/ifera when spun on the ground is exactly as
Dr. Skinner describes it. I was unacquainted with this form when I made
my description (Ent. Am. V. p. 200).—W™M. BEUTENMULLER.
What Mr. Beutenmiiller says is undoubtedly true, angulifera does spin
a thread occasionally, but it is the exception that proves the rule. Mr.
Philip Laurent, in a large collecting experience found one suspended, all
the others he has found were under tulip poplar trees. Mr. F. M. Jones
sent me one with the silken thread. I have collected in a single day more
than a quart of angulifera cocoons, not all of them alive, however, and
never saw one suspended, and for negative evidence I may say I have
found thousands of promethia cocoons on poplar, etc., and never had an
angulifera emerge from them.—H. SKINNER.
Lorp WALSINGHAM, in his Presidential address, estimated the number
of species of insects as upwards of two millions, and further said, “we
may well ask ourselves who can venture to assume the appellation of
‘Entomologist ?? or even of Lepidopterist or Hymenopterist? Surely, our
successors in this Society must one day be content to be called Pieridists,
Gelechidists, pimpidists, or Cicindelidists, according to thete different
branches of study.”’
‘© We have abundant evidence that the whole field of zéological research
apart from Entomology is but small as compared to that in which the Fel-
lows of this Society (Ent. Soc. London) are interested, when we see that
in Central America one aioall family of Coleoptera, the ee exceed
the whole of the mammalia.’
Dr. W. L. Aszorr has left the Kilimanjaro region. He was heard from
at Zanzibar, and intended to leave there shortly to study the fauna of the
Comoro Islands and Madagascar.
EREBIA EPIPSODEA. In “ Butterflies of North America,’’ Pt. 9, Vol. iii,
Mr. W. H. Edwards gives us a very interesting account of 2. epipsodea.
He gives as its geographical distribution ‘‘ Middle Colorado northward to
the Arctic Sea.’”’ It comes, however, a little further South than this, and
it may be-worth while to fix its most southern point as at present known.
Mr. H. W. Nash informs me that he has taken it at Music Pass, Custer
County, Col., and at Bonanza, Sagmache County, Col. The first of these
localities is about N. Lat. 38°, the other is rather more northern. —T. D.
A. COCKERELL, West Cliff, Custer County, Col.
On JANvuARyY 20th, while in Baltimore, I captured a fine specimen of
Chion cinctus Drury, crawling on the sidewalk. Zvrgo; the early bug
- catches the pin.—C. A. BLakE.
ae oS
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 59
Entomological Literature.
‘TRANS. Ent. Soc. London, for the year 1889, Part IV, ‘‘On some Le-
pidoptera from New Guinea,”’ by Edward Meyrick. This paper consists
of sixty-seven pages, in which a number of new genera and species of
moths are described. ‘‘On the distribution of the Charlonia group of the
genus Anthocharis,’’ by George T. Baker. “A revision of the genus Ar-
gynnis,” by Henry J. Elwes. A new species is described under the name
hanningtoni; it was taken at Taveta, near Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Africa.
This paper is a very interesting and important one to American students,
and will probably be reviewed later at some length. ‘‘ Additional notes
on the genus Hilipus,’’ by Francis P. Pascoe.
From the PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
_“ Annotated Catalogue of the Insects collected in 1887-88,”’ by L. O. How-
ard. The insects received were the part products of the scientific results .
of explorations by the U. S. Fish Commission steamer ‘‘ Albatross.’’? The
Hemiptera were sent to Prof. P. R. Uhler, of Baltimore, Md.; the Orthof-
tera to Mr. Lawrence Bruner, of Lincoln, Neb.; the Diptera to Prof. S.
W. Williston, of New Haven, Conn.; the Lepidoptera to Rev. W. J. Hol-
land, Pittsburgh, Pa.; and the MWallophaga to Prof. Herbert Osborn, of
Ames, Iowa.’”’ Dr. Holland describes, as new to science, Protoparce
calapagensis from Charles Island, Galapagos.
The EntTomovocist, February, 1890.—‘‘ New species of Lepidoptera
from China,’’ by J. H. Leech. The specimens were collected near Ichang,
Central China, and fifty-six new species are described, all diurnals. ‘‘Co-
leoptera at Camber during 1889.’’ ‘“‘ An entomological tour on the Table-
and of Mount Arthur,’ by G. V. Hudson.”? ‘On the occurrence of
Hesperia lineola in Essex,” by A. J. Spiller. Rhopalocera in Switzerland.
““On the variation of Heliophobus hispidus at Portland,’ by N. M. Rich-
ardson. ‘‘Gas-lamp entomology,” by J. Arkle. The remaining part of
the number consists of notes, captures, etc., and the doings of societies.
““RHOPALOCERA NIHONICA: a description of the butterflies of Japan,’’
by H. Pryer. Part 3 for December, 1889, has arrived, completing the work.
Owing to the lamentable and untimely death of the author on the 17th of
February, 1888, the preparation for the press of the unpublished portion
of the work was undertaken’by James Bisset, F.L.S. The text is in Eng-
lish and Japanese, and colored figures, notes, description of species, time
of appearance and food-plants are given.
Trans. Kansas Acap. Sc. Vol. 11, 1887-88.—‘‘ Notes on the early
stages of Nerice bidentata, Anisota stigma and Callimorpha suffusa,” by
C. L. Marlatt.
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL History.—‘‘ Description of
a new genus of Oriental Cicadidz,’’ (Zalainga) by W. L. Distant.
“Description of two new species of Acrea from Mombasa,”’ by H. Grose
60 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (April,
Smith. ‘‘Observations on some Coleoptera from the Bonin Islands,” by
C. O. Waterhouse and C. J. Gahan. ‘‘ Description of three new species
of butterflies from New Ireland,” by H. Grose Smith. ‘Seasonal di-
morphism in Japanese butterflies,” by Dr. Adolf Fritze.
‘es PARNASSIENS DE LA FAUNE PALEARCTIQUE,”’ par Jules Léon Am-
stat, Leipzig, 1889.—This is practically a monograph of the genus, all the
species being mentioned, except our American Parnassius clodius. There
are two hundred and twenty-two pages devoted to descriptions, history,
etc., of the species and varieties, and thirty-two plates, representing a
number of figures delineating the species, varieties and comparative anat-
omy. The figures are fine examples of chromo-lithography.
‘“‘S. AFRICAN BUTTERFLIES: A monograph of the extra-tropical species,”
by Roland Trimen and James Henry Bowker, Vol. 3.—Papilionidee and
Hesperidz. This volume completes the work; it contains four hundred
and thirty-eight pages and twenty-eight colored figures. These three
volumes make a very valuable addition to the literature of the subject, and
are very exhaustive.
The ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER for Feb. 10, 1890, contains a summary
of J. Carriere’s studies ‘‘On the embryological development of the Wall
Bee (Chalicodoma muraria Fab.)
Le NATURALISTE for Feb. 15, 1890, contains an article by L. Cuénot,
‘‘On the means of defense of Arthropods,” including references to insects,
and P. Dognin describes a new lepidopter from Loja, Oa-ytenis? ecua-
dorensis.
The ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN (Berlin) for February, 1890, con-
tains ‘‘ Pentathemis membranulata, a new Australian Libellulid with five-
sided cardinal cell,’ by Dr. F. Karsch, describing a new genus Pentathe-
mis (family Cordulina), type P. membranulata n. sp. from Torres Strait, —
with a woodcut of forewing. ‘On varieties of European Cicindelidz,”’
by H. Beuthin. ‘‘On Galls and Gall-flies from flower-heads of various
Compositz (continued),’”’ by J. J. Kieffer, including Cecidomyia florum
n. sp. ‘‘ New Histeridz (Coleoptera),’”’ by Joh. Schmidt (continued), nine
species of the genera Stictostix, Tvibalus, Pelorurus and Saprinus, from
Australia, Africa and South America. Some shorter hotes and notices of
recent entomological works.
INDIAN Museum Notes (economic) Vol. 1, No. 2; one hundred and
twenty pages, three plates, Calcutta, 1889; published by authority of the
Government of India.
In Le NATURALISTE (Paris) for Feb. 1, 1890, Ed. André has a note on
“Les larves de Malachius (Coleoptera, fam. Malacodermidz),”’ with two
woodcuts of the larva of J/. bipustulatus. P. Dognin diagnoses two new
Lepidoptera from Zamora, Amaluza and Loja—Acidatia adela and Cabe-
rodes snellenaria.
j
4
1890. ] | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 61
The Orvos-TERMESZETTUDOMANYI ERTEsITO (Medical and Natural
Science Communications, being the organ of that Section of the Transyl-
vanian Museum Union), Vol. XIV, 3 heft, 1889, contains ‘‘ Contributions
to the Coleopterous fauna of Transylvania,’ by L. V. Méhely. It is a list
of species with notes in Hungarian. A German summary is given p. 295;
also a “‘ Notice of his entomological excursion into Széklerland,”’ by Dr. A.
Balint; a general list of insects taken.
Le NATURALISTE CANADIEN for January, 1890, contains notes on the
Jassidze (Hemiptera-Homoptera) of the province of Quebec, and describes
as new,— 7hamnotettix decipiens and Bythoscopus pruni (Fitch ms.)
In the TRANSACTIONS OF THE MARYLAND ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for
1888-89, pp. 33-44, Prof. P. R. Uhler describes some ‘‘ New genera and
species of American Homoptera.’’ The new genera are Scaphoideus
(fam. Jassidz), type /. immistus Say and three new species; Dyctide
(fam. Issidz), type D. angustata and one other new species; Dictyobia
(Issidz), type D. permutata n. sp.; Dictyonia (Issidz), type D. obscura
n. sp., Danepteryx (Issidz), type D. manca n. sp.; also a new species of
Tilicen (cupreo-sparsa). Most of these new species are from California.
In It NATURALISTA SICILIANO for Dec. 1, 1889, B. Grassi and G. Ro-
velli publish their sixth memoir on the Progenitors of the Myriapods and
Insects by a (continued) study on the Italian 7hysanura. Four new spe-
cies of Lepisma are described.
We have received from the author a copy of “‘ Die Tagfalter (Rhopal-
ocera) Europas und des Caucasus. Analytisch bearbeitet von K. L. Bram-
son. Kiew. Verlag des Verfassers, 1890.’’ In this work Prof. Bramson
publishes analytical tables of the families, genera and species of the but-
terflies of Europe and the Caucasus, with notes on the distribution and
. time of appearance of each species. A list of all the species (330 in num- ,
ber) with their varieties and synonyms, and alphabetical lists of the fami-
lies, genera and species are given. One plate showing the terminology
of the wings and head of a lepidopter accompanies this work, which ought
to be of great use to students of the European Rhopalocera.
R. Moniez has a (continued) paper on the “ Acari and Marine Insects of
the sides of the Boulonnais’’ in the ‘‘ Revue Biologique du Nord de la
France (Lille),’’ 2me Année, No. 5, Fevrier, 18go.
The ENTOMOLOGISK TIJDSKRIFT (published in Swedish, with short re-
sumés in French, by the Entomological Society of Stockholm) Arg. ro,
1889, Haft 1-4, contains, besides other notes, the continuation of H. D. J.
Wallengren’s ‘‘ Skandinaviens vecklarefjarilar,” relating to the Tortricide.
“New contributions to the myriopodology of Scandinavia,’’ by C. O. v.
Porat. Lists of entomological papers of 1888, relating to Scandinavia and
Finland, and a new species of Charaves (regius from the Cameroons), by
Chr. Aurivillius.
62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, —
The Zweite Abtheilung of Dr. Arnold Lang’s Lehrbuch der Vergleich-
enden Anatomie (Text-book of Comparative Anatomy), Jena, 1889, con-
tains that portion of the work. treating of the Insecta. According to the
classification here adopted the Insecta (ea-apoda) are divided into sixteen
orders. Dr. Lang successively treats of the External Organization, Integu-
ment, Musculature, Alimentary Canal, Nervous System, Sense Organs,
Circulatory System, Fat Bodies, Respiratory System, Sound-producing
Apparatus, Sexual Organs, Dimorphism and Polymorphism, Development
and Life-history, and Phylogeny of Insects. A bibliography of important
works on the anatomy, development, etc., of insects completes this section.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER for January, 1890, No. 326, contains ‘“‘ Further
observations on the Dorsal Gland in the Abdomen of Periplaneta and its
allies,’ by Edw. A. Minchin. ‘Note on the Sexual Apertures of the
Lepidoptern Chrysalis,’ by W. Hatchett Jackson. Note on H. T. Fer-
’ nald’s paper entitled, ‘‘ External Sexual Markings of Pupz.”’
‘‘ Butterflies of North America,’ by W. H. Edwards, third series, part
9, contains figures and descriptions of Avg. névadensis 2, A. halcyoneg.
Life-history of Arg. aphrodite, Satyrus pegala, Sat. alope var., Erebia
epipsodea, figures and life-history, also figure of epipsodea var. Brucet.
ENTOMOLOGIST’Ss MONTHLY MAGAZINE, February, 1890, ‘‘ Gelechia
portlandicella n. sp.’’ by N. M. Richardson. ‘‘ Nepticula auromarginella
n. sp.”? by N. M. Richardson. ‘‘ Description of the Micropteryx of the
hazel (MZ. Kaltenbachii),’’ by H. T. Stainton. ‘‘ Notes on Dr. Jordan’s
observations on Norwegian Lepidoptera,’’ by W. M. Schéyen. ‘‘On the
Coleoptera found in a small mossy bank at Knowle, Warwickshire,” by
W. G. Blatch. ‘‘ Notes on the metamorphoses of two species of the genus
Tinodes,’’ by Kenneth J. Morton. ‘‘ Observations on Coccidz,”’ by Al-
bert C. T. Morgan. Diaspis zamie@ n. sp. described. ‘‘ Descriptions of
new species of South American Halticidz of the group Gdipodes,” by
Martin Jacoby.
AMERICAN NATURALIST, January, 18go, ‘‘ Rectal Glands in Coleoptera,”
by H. T. Fernald. .
Queries and Answers.
P. C. TRUMAN writes, “ will you kindly give me a little aid through the
News. Some of my set specimens of butterflies and moths show spots,
which have seemed to slowly spread. These spots are darker than the
balance of the wing, and they look shiny and oily. What is the matter,
and what is the remedy ?’’——The disfigurement is due to oil being ab-
sorbed by capillary attraction into the wings from the body. Why some
specimens grease and others do not is probably not known. Take a tum-
:
_
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 63
bler or other convenient vessel and press into the bottom of it a piece of
cork so that it will remain tightly wedged, then pin in your oily specimen
and pour in the glass enough gasoline, refined benzine or chloroform, to
cover it to the depth of an inch above the wings, and then cover the glass
to prevent evaporation. Allow it to remain for three-quarters of an hour,
then take out the specimen and put it to dry ina place free from dust.
_ This treatment makes them look fresh and bright, and relieves them of all
traces of oil. If afterwards the specimen needs resetting it can be relaxed
as usual. The same gasoline can be used a number of times.
Dr. A. E. Kunze writes as follows: ‘‘ As a suggestion I would offer the
desirability of giving stations for insects the same as botanists give locali-
ties for all plants inhabiting a certain radius of miles. Botanical catologues
of local stations are issued by several societies. Is it not feasible in the
field of entomology? Why not try the experment? Would it not assist
working entomologists? Surely many insects are as local as plants.’>——
This has been done to a certain extent, but notas commonly as in Botany.
Careful and accurately made local lists are very useful to the collector, the
student of geographical distribution and the economic entomologist, and
their value is enhanced if the dates of occurrence are given.
Doings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILA-
DELPHIA, Feb. 27, 1890.—Members present : Messrs. Cresson, Martindale,
Smith, Blake, Ridings, G. B. Cresson, Laurent, Skinner, Calvert, Liebeck,
_ Westcott, Castle and Seeber. Dr. Geo H. Horn, Director, in the chair.
Mr. Martindale exhibited a living specimen of Belostoma Americana?
which had cut off a water supply by being wedged in a pipe, and had been
found by the aid of a plumber. He stated that he had endeavored to find
a description of the species, but had failed, as nearly all authors attributed
the description to Leidy in Vol. 1, 2d ser. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., p.
58, but it is not given there. The poisonous character of the insect, and
its habit of preying on shell fish, young trout and other fishes, were dis-
cussed at length. Mr. Charles Liebeck exhibited specimens of a new spe-
cies of Cenbrinus? which he had first noticed in June, 1886, feeding on
Chenopodium album, a plant introduced from Europe. Dr. Horn said the
species was indigenous, for the reason that the genus was not found in
Europe. He also called attention to the small characters in the Coleoptera,
which are often overlooked, and spoke of their importance from a classi-
ficatory standpoint, for if they were properly studied it was not unusual to
find them develop into larger structures which could be used to advantage
in classification. He promised to speak later on in regard to Cercyon and
its allies, and their mutual relationship. Mr. Liebeck donated to the
64 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
cabinet specimens of Zachygonus centralis and Mecynotarsus candidus.
Mr. Calvert presented one male type of Leucorhinia proxima n. sp. and
one female of Z. ivtacta Hag.
COLORADO BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, West Cliff, Feb. 1, 1890.—Mr.
Cockerell exhibited a number of galls found at West Cliff, Col., including
those of Rhodites fusciformans n, sp., R. bicolor Harr., R. rosefolie
Ckll., R. ignota O. S., Cecidomyia salicis-siligua Walsh.
February 22d.—Mr. T. Charlton exhibited specimens of Cemthophilus
maculatus Scud., which he had found in the Powhattan Mine, near Rosita,
Col., about 250 feet from the entrance. Two subterranean occurrences of
this species had already been recorded by Packard (‘* Cave Faun. of N.
Amer.”’ p. 72) in Massachusetts and New York. Mr. Cockerell exhibited
an apparently new genus and species of Elateridz found at West Cliff,
and remarked that this insect was now being studied by Dr. Horn, with a
view to ascertaining its precise relationships. On behalf of Mr. H. G.
Smith, Jr., the following Coleoptera, collected by him at Denver, were
exhibited; Bruchus obsoletus var. fab@ Riley, Euryomia inda L., Silpha
lapponica .., Chauliognathus basalis Lec. and Hippodamia convergens
Guér. A letter from Mr. L. Bruner, containing identifications of Colorado
Orthoptera was laid before the meeting. Among the Orthoptera was an
apparently new species of Ame/es from Custer County.
T. D. A. CocKERELL, Sec.
—
MORE MISTAKES.
Some of our readers have kindly pointed out a number of oversights in
proof-reading, which we desire to correct.
Page 15, line 30, for 7enzera read Zeuzera. An unsuccessful attempt
was made to correct this error in the errata given at
bottom of page 47.
Page 21, line 16, for 1886, read 1836.
“26, ‘* 20, for ABCANTHIA read ACANTHIA.
27, 20, for symmetrical read asymmetrical.
“29, ‘* 18, for Frohaws read Frohawk.
** 30, ‘ 19, for Cobhane read Cobham.
‘€ 30, “* 33, for Limnophilas read Limnophilus.
48, last line, for January read February.
8@~ ENTOMOLOGICAL News for January was mailed Jan. 15, 1890; for February, Jan-
31, 1890; for March, Feb. 27, 1890.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
Veiads.- MAY, 18go. No. 5.
CONTENTS:
Cockerell—What are the uses of bright | NOt@S ARR WS sc. ss cccsi:n-vecnnccdaseveqsessoees 74
colors in ppt pater : eee 65 | Entomological Literature......sssesssses0e: 77
Van Winkle—Collecting by lamplight.. 68 ‘ be
SEE Mtbenentary Ritomology...:... 0 DOINGS GE RBOCICLIES.....c0ee..senssiassanecacnes 79
Calvert—Additional notes on some N.
American Odonata..... ateteeseneneee saeee 73
What are the uses of bright colors in Hymenoptera?
BY T. D. A. COCKERELL.
Following somewhat on the lines indicated in my letter pub-
lished in the February number, p. 27, with the editor’s permission,
I will put the above question to your readers. Hereafter, I may
have something to say on the uses of color among insects in gen-
eral, but the present question seems so suitable for general inves-
tigation that I will briefly give some of the vos and cons and
leave your-readers to work the matter out themselves if they will.
In that admirable work, ‘‘ Darwinism,” Dr. A. R. Wallace lays
considerable stress on ‘‘ Warning coloration,’’ and shows that
many animals are conspicuously colored as a sign that they are
dangerous or inedible. With insects this is said to be specially
noticeable, and thus insectivorous birds and other enemies of the
insect tribes get to know and avoid those they cannot eat, to the
great advantage of such.
On p. 233 of ‘‘ Darwinism’? is a reference to the Aculeate Hy-
menoptera in this connection, as follows: ‘‘ We all know how
well marked and conspicuous are the colors and forms of the
stinging wasps and bees, no one of which in any part of the world
5
66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
is known to be protectively colored like the majority of defence-
less insects.’’ Reading this I at once called to mind the numerous
dull-colored species of Andrena, Halictus, etc. , and the ‘brilliantly-
colored, non-aculeate Chrysidide and Chalcididaad so that it
seemed to me that in this case, at any rate, ‘‘ warning coloration’
was not self-evident, so I submitted the point to Dr. Wallace,
himself, who replied:
‘‘Though the Andrenidz are not usually gayly colored, yet
they are not zxconspicuous. The Chrysididz are, I should think,
colored so brilliantly partly, perhaps, to simulate stinging species,
and partly to prevent their being taken for fruits or seeds when
rolled up. They are very hard, and like many hard beetles are
colored as a warning of inedibility.”’ (A. R. Wallace zu Hitt. Feb.
10, 1890)
Here it would be interesting to learn whether the Chrysidida*
are eaten by insectivorous birds. A spider, Aysticus cristatus,
has been recorded as preying on Chrysis ignita in Lincolnshire,
England, by Mr. H. W. Kew.
But to return to the acwleata, are they notable for warning
coloration? To ascertain the exact state of the case from one who
has paid much attention to the subject. I applied to Mr. Ash-
mead and here is his reply:
‘‘The family Chalcididz is without doubt the most extensive
in the order, and taken as a whole the most brilliantly colored;
no other family, not even excepting the Chrysididze, can compare
with it in the metallic brilliancy of its members. ‘‘ In my opinion,
when the species are thoroughly worked up, in this single family
alone, their members will more than double the species in a// the
families of the Acu/eata taken together, so numerous are they.
‘It is really only among the parasitic bees that we find much
brilliant metallic coloring, a few genera in Apide and Andrenide.
‘‘Tn Andrenidz only two genera, Angochlora and Agapostemon |
are very brilliant, on some //alicti show some.
* Although the Chry sidide: are classed with the bees, etc., they are not acu/eata, Mr.
Ashmead has kindly stated their systematic position to me as follows: “‘ Although they
are certainly Hymenoptera monotrocha and belong to the section with the bees, strictly
speaking they can hardly be called true Acwleata, being, as Latreille observes, ‘sur les
confins des deux sections,’ and were formerly classed with the 7eredvantia. I agree with
Westwood in considering them more closely allied to certain Proctotrupids, i.e., the Dry-
ninge ane Bethylinz, than to the bees. If I had the time I could point out some very
remarkable structural similarities.” (im Zi#t. Feb. 5, 1890)
—
ons,
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 67
‘*T am of course speaking of the insects found in N. America,
as I am not very familiar with exotic or oriental forms.
‘In family Vespide there are none; in Eumenide none; in
Masaridz none; in Crabronidz only a few species in the genera
Trypoxylon and Oxybelus show any and then usually confined
to the pubescence; in Pemphredonidee all are black or ornate
with white and yellow; in Mellinide and Mimeside the same,
although sometimes the pubescence is silvery or golden; in the
Philanthidz they are highly colored, but are not metallic, or but
seldom show any metallic splendor; in Nyssonidz and Bembicidze
the same; in the Larridz some of the forms do, but strictly speak-
ing they are not brilliant, and the metallic coloring is usually
confined to the vestiture; the family Ampulicidz has but one spe-
cies in America, and that is dark colored. In the family Sphecidz
a large percentage show metallic colors, but only a few are very
brilliant; in Pompilidz only a few; the Sapygide are highly col-
ored, but not metallic; in the Scoliidz only a few forms, while in
the Mutillidaee and Formicidz none that I know of.
‘““ So now you have the showing, the North American Aculeata
make, in a nutshell (W. H. Ashmead zz Z#. Feb. 5, 1890).’’
From which summary it becomes evident that, as a whole, the
aculeata do not compare in brilliancy with very many of the non-
stinging kinds. Nor is it clear that the stings altogether protect
the bees and wasps from birds, or render them inedible. Dr.
Wallace remarks (Darwinism, p.—239): ‘‘ We see that even the
powerful stings of bees and wasps only protect them against some
enemies, since a tribe of birds, the bee-eaters, have been devel-
oped to feed upon them, and some frogs and lizards do so occa-
sionally.”’ ;
Dr. Riley records that sparrows (Passer domesticus) feed on
Flalictus, Tiphia, Myzine and ants. In no less than ¢hzrty cases
was Myzine sexcincta found in the sparrow’s stomachs, and this
is a brightly marked (though not metallic) species, which, per-
haps, theoretically should not have been eaten. I have found
ants in the stomach of Sta/ia arctica, shot in Custer County, Col.
‘The stomach of a woodpecker, shot by Rev. A. Wright in the
same locality, contained a great number of ants; the majority
apparently Formica Susca, with a few F. integra. In England
the tom-tit (Parus) is known to wage constant war against
‘Bombus.
68 . ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
So clearly, the Aculeata do not always escape! Myzine sex-
cincta is marked pretty much as most of the species of Vespa,
Odynerus and Craéro, and yet is not protected. So here is the
great class of yellow markings on black, apparently useless for
warning purposes. The humming and buzzing of bees may
likely frighten their enemies in some cases. Certainly it scares
those of the genus Homo in most cases. But that has nothing to
do with the colors.
There seems to be a tendency for insects which are carnivorous
in their early stages to be metallic, but there are very many ex- —
ceptions to this rule. Thus in Coleoptera the Carabidz are often
metallic, but so are many of the plant-feeding Chrysomelida and
several of the Curculionidz, while many carnivorous beetles are
dull. In Diptera, the blow-fly, Zucz/ia, is metallic. In Hymen-
optera, the parasitic Chalcididz are mostly metallic, while the
plant-feeding Cynipidz are brown, black or yelloar And so
on through numerous examples.
So much then on the colors of the stinging and seats Hy-
menoptera. The question remains, what are they for? Why
do they exist?
0).
Vv
COLLECTING BY LAMPLIGHT.
BY A. S. VAN WINKLE.
No doubt many entomologists have spent night after night col-
lecting different species of moths which can only be taken after
dark. Many atime have I spent night after night, alone, down
in the dark forest bordering the Mississippi in collecting on very
warm, dark and damp nights when the harvest would be very
productive, as many different species of Bombycide, Noctuide,
Geometridez, Pyralidz, Tortricide, Tineidze and Pterophoride
would be captured, while on other nights I would be doomed to
disappointment for after being up almost night I would collect
little or nothing.
When one reads Dr. Wallace’s delightful work entitled, ‘‘ The
Malay Archipelago,’’ giving his experience of collecting in the
eastern Tropics, especially the part referring to the subject of
moth collecting at night, he cannot fail to appreciate its impor-
tance. Knowing full well that the readers of ENTOMOLOGICAL
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 69
News, especially those who have not had the pleasure of reading
Dr. Wallace’s work will be interested in it, and that ENTOMo-
LOGICAL News is chiefly devoted to this kind of literature I take
pleasure in quoting the following passage: ‘‘ While collecting on
the island of Borneo what occupied me most was the great abun-
dance of moths which, on certain occasions, I was able to capture.
As during the whole eight years’ wanderings in the East I never
found another spot where these insects were at all plentiful, it
will be interesting to state the exact conditions under which I
here obtained them. On the one side of the cottage there was
a verandah looking down the whole side of the mountain, and to
its summit on the right all densely clothed with forest. The
boarded sides of the cottage were whitewashed and the roof of
the verandah was low and whitewashed. As soon as it became
dark I placed my lamp on the table against the wall and with pins,
insect-forceps, net and collecting-boxes by my side, sat down
with a book. Sometimes during the whole evening only a soli-
tary. moth would visit me, while on other nights they would pour
in in a continual stream, keeping me hard at work catching and
pinning till past midnight, as they came literally by thousands.
These good nights were very few. During the four weeks that
I spent altogether on the hill I only had four really good nights,
and these were always rainy, and the best of them soaking wet,
but wet, rainy nights, were not always good, for a rainy moon-
light night produced next to nothing. All the chief tribes of
moths were represented, and the beauty and variety of the species
was very great. On good nights I was able to capture from a
hundred to two nundred and fifty moths, and these comprised on
each occasion from half to two-thirds that number of distinct
species. Some of them would settle on the wall, some on the
table, while many would fly up to the roof and gave me a chase
all over the verandah before I could secure them.
(To be continued.)
().
Vv
Notre.—By a slip of the pen I quoted Mr. Blanchard incor-
rectly in the April NEws. Corymbites crassus is the female of
divaricatus, and not as | there stated of zzflatus.—G. H. Horn.
70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY. |
FIRST PAPER—WHAT IS AN INSECT?
While the study of Entomology, or the knowledge of Insects,
is one of the most fascinating of pursuits, it is not a matter of
wonder that many have been deterred from undertaking it, be-
cause of the difficulties with which it is hedged about, and the
array of strange, technical words with which it is surrounded.
The purpose of these articles is, therefore, to endeavor to popu-
larize the study by explaining, in as simple a manner as possible,
the various technical terms which, of necessity, must be employed
by scientific writers.
The word Insect is, as a rule, very loosely employéd by those
who have not studied the subject. Even scientific usage of the
word has varied, and Insects are sometimes regarded as equiva-
lent to the group described later on in this paper under the name
of Tracheata. In this series the word Insect is used in a restricted
sense, and does not include such animals as spiders, centipedes
and mites, and yet we would not exclude from the pages of this
journal information about such creatures, since we hope to give
our readers some very interesting notes on spiders (as well as on
ants), from the pen of our fellow-member, the Rev. Dr. McCook,
who’ has made the study of their habits a specialty, and who
knows so well how to interest his readers.
Insects may be described as being (1) joint-footed animals,
breathing by trachez; (2) having the body of the adult divided
into three distinct portions, —head, thorax and abdomen; (3)
having in the perfect or imeem state, one pair of antenne attached
to the head.
(1) The joint-footed aniaiaaae or technically the Arthropoda
(which is the Greek equivalent), are formed on a different plan
from the other branches of the animal kingdom. Their bodies
are composed of a series of rings (or segments), within which are
the vital apparatus and muscles. It is true that many of the
Worms have their bodies segmented, but no Worms have jointed
feet. A vast number of animals are included within the A7thro-
poda,—not only the /rsecta, but also the Arachnida (spiders,
scorpions, etc.), the J/yriapoda (centipedes, millipedes, etc.),
certain curious animals known as Onychophora, and the Crustacea
. ee ne ve eT
eel oes! ba i. tet _
18go. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 71
(crabs, lobsters, shrimps, etc.). It is necessary, therefore, to
find some differences which will distinguish the Insects from all
other Arthropods.* One of these is the breathing by ¢rachee,
which are tubes, composed of thin membranes kept open by a
fine, but stiff, wiry thread twisted spirally throughout the whole
course of the tubes. The trachez have their external openings,
called spiracles or stigmata, along the sides of the body.. From
the spiracles the tracheze pass inwards and ramify in all directions
throughout the body. The Crustacea breathe by gills, and hence
form a division of the Arthropods called Branchiata (from the
Greek work érangchia, gills). All other Arthropods than the
crustacea breathe by trachez, or similar structures, and hence
form the division 7vacheata.
(2) The body of an adult insect is divided into three regions,—
head, thorax and abdomen. In the Crustacea and Arachnida,
there are, as a rule, fwo regions, the united head and thorax
(cephalo-thorax), and the abdomen. In the Onychophorans and
Myriapods the body is worm-like, and can hardly be said to be
divided into regions (although, of course, segmented); the head,
however, is distinct.
(3) Insects, when they have attained their imago or perfect
form, have one pair of antenne (or ‘‘feelers’’) attached to the
head, three pairs of /egs which are restricted to the thorax, and
usually two pairs of wizgs, also attached to the thorax. The
Arachnida have no true antennz, but have four pairs of legs at-
tached to the thoracic part of the cephalo-thorax. The Myria-
poda and Onychophora have one pair of antennz and numerous
pairs of legs. The Crustacea have two pairs of antennz and
usually five or more pairs of legs to the thoracic part of the
cephalo-thorax, and often some abdominal legs. No other Ar-
thropoda than the Insecta have wings, and even some Insects are
destitute of them during their entire life.
With respect to the states or forms assumed in the course of
their lives, Insects may be grouped into three divisions :
1. Insects which pass through four states, viz., (1) the Egg,
(2) the Larva (caterpillar, maggot, grub, or ‘‘ worm’’f), (3) the
Pupa (chrysalis), usually a quiescent state, and (4) the /mago
(perfect insect).
* The characters given in this paper for the classes of Arthropoda are mainly those used
in Claus and Sedgwick’s excellent Text Book of Zoology.
t Such as the “‘ Tomato-worm,” ‘‘ Grape-vine worm,” and similar plant-feeders.
72 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | [May,
2. Insects which pass through three states, viz., (1) the Egg,
(2) the Nymph and (3) the Zmago.
3. Insects which pass through two states, viz., (1) the Zgg,
and (2) the Larva-form.
1. Insects passing through four such states differ very much
when in their larval state from the form which they possess when
in their imago state, and hence are said to undergo a complete
metamorphosis or transformation. Such are Bees, Butterflies,
Beetles, etc. Very frequently the pupa is enclosed in a cocoon of
silk, earth, chips, or other substance. ‘
2. In other insects there is no distinction between the larval and
pupal states, and the larva much resembles the imago, although
differing noticeably by the wings being not yet developed as or-
gans of flight. Such insects pass through an zucomp/lete trans- .
formation. Lately the word Mymph has been used to denote
that state of existence in such insects between the egg and the
imago, although formerly it was synonymous with pupa. Insects
with an incomplete transformation are Grasshoppers, Dragflies, etc.
3. These insects undergo no transformatton, the larval form
being retained to the end of their existence. Such are Fish-
moths and Spring-tails. '
The growth of an insect is completed in its larval or its nymph
state, and however long an insect may live, it never increases in
size after it has attained its perfect form. The modes of passing
through the successive changes of form vary much in the different
orders of insects, and are always full of interest to careful ob-
servers. These changes will be referred to in future articles on
the various orders.
The principal characters which distinguish the Insecta from the
other classes of Arthropoda may be tabulated as follows (These
characters apply only to adult individuals):
Arthropoda.—Animals with a segmented body and jointed segmental
appendages.
A.—Breathing by gills (Division Branchiata.)
Body usually divided into a cephalo-thorax and an abdomen; two pairs
of antenne . : ‘ : ° ; Class I, Crustacea.
B.—Breathing by trachez (Division 7racheat/a.)
1. No true antennz (Subdivision Chelicerota.)
Body usually divided into a cephalo-thorax and an abdomen; four
pairs of thoracic feet; no abdominal feet. Class II, Arachnida.
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 73
2. With one pair of antennz (Subdivision Antennata).
a. Body not divided into regions; feet fairly numerous,
Class III, Onychophora (or Prototracheata).
Class IV, Myriapoda.
b. Body divided into head, thorax and abdomen; six feet, restricted
to thorax. ,
Usually with two pairs of wings, Class V. Insecta (or Hexapoda).
Pir. G.
=o
Additional Notes on some North American Odonata.
BY PHILIP P. CALVERT.
On Jan. 28, 1890, were published the separate copies of my
paper entitled, ‘‘ Notes on some North American Odonata, with
descriptions of three new species (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. xvii,
pp. 33—40, 1 pl.).”’ During the next two days I sent copies of
q my paper to various students of the Odonata. One of the new
species I described under the name of Leucorhinia Hageni, fig-
uring the inferior appendage and hamule of the male, and the
: vulvar lamina of the female. Under date of Feb. 2, 1890, Dr.
‘ Hagen wrote to me acknowledging the receipt of my paper, and
7 stated that ‘‘ your Hagenz is, I believe, L. hudsonica Selys.’’ He
F also sent me drawings of the male hamule and female valvules of
hudsonica. 1 can now see no reason for believing Hagenz to be
specifically distinct.
3 Since the publication of my paper, Mr. Charles W. Johnson
_ has kindly looked over my Floridan types of Lepthemis gravida.
He tells me that he has collected this species flying over the salt
marshes near St. Augustine, Fla.. In the habitat given originally
(1. ec. p. 36) for this species, I have misspelled Ponto Rasso for
Punta Rassa.
Students of the Odonata must rejoice in the recent publication
of two parts of Dr. Hagen’s new ‘‘ Synopsis of the Odonata of
North America,’’ published in ‘‘ Psyche’’ vol. v, Nos. 160 and
i 166, and dealing with the genera Calopteryx and Anax. I have
: recently compared the specimens of Calopferyx in my colleetion
and that of the American Entomological Society, with Dr. Hagen’s
paper on that genus. In both collections Calopteryx is but poorly
represented, and but few new facts were ascertained from the
comparison.
a,
74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
Five North American species are recognized in the paper re-
ferred to, viz.: C. angustipennis, amata, dimidiata (with race
apicalis), equabilis (with races hudsonica and yakima) and macu-
lata, Of these I have seen damidiata (and r. . apicalis), aequabilis
and maculata.
Dr. Hagen states (‘‘ Psyche,”’ Vv, p. 242) that ‘‘ The genus
Calopteryx largely represented in the northern boreal and tem-
perate zone nowhere passes to the south beyond the zoth degree.”’
I possess a male dzmidiata, formerly in the collection of Prof. P.
R. Uhler, of Baltimore; when Prof. Uhler gave this specimen to
me it bore (and still bears) the label ‘‘ Calopteryx, Honduras.”’
Honduras, including that part under British rule, extends from
about the 18th to the 13th parallel of North latitude. The most
southern locality in all America for any species of Calopteryx, as
given by Dr. Hagen, is Florida.
In the Am. Ent. Soc. collection are two males of apicadis from
Delaware, a new locality. In the same collection are two females,
one certainly, the other probably from Delaware; I think that
they also belong to aficalzs. The measurements of these females
are: Total length Ao AG 5 mm.; abdomen, 31.5—32.5 mm.;
anterior wing, 30 mm.; posterior, ie mm.
Of eguabilis | possess one male and one female, both taken
by Mr. Harry L. Walker at Belvidere, Bone County, Ill, June
29, 1888, ‘‘on the bank of a little stream.’’ Both agree’ very
well with Dr. Hagen’s description, except that the wings of the
female are hardly smoky at the apex.
For maculata | add a new locality, Tama County, Iowa; two
males and one female taken June 21, 28, 29, 1889, by Miss Alda
M. Sharp.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENromoLocicaL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case ‘or the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
IDENTIFICATION OF INSECTS (IMAGOS) FOR SUBSCRIBERS.—Specimens
will be named under the following conditions:
———— ee
Se
hy ee ag
ae ee eae
~ 1890.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 75
1st.—The number of specimens to be limited to twelve (12) for each
sending.
2d.—The sender to pay all expenses of transportation and the insects
to become the property of the American Entomological Society.
3d.—Each specimen must have a number attachcd so that the identifica-
tions may be announced accordingly. .
Such identifications as can be given will be published according to |
number, in the issues of the News. Address packages to Entomological
News, Acad. Nat. Sci., Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Notes From CoLtorapo.— 7imothy bugs. On Aug. 21, 1889, I took
3 and 2 Pentatomids on Timothy-grass (Phleum pratense) by Willow
Creek, Custer County, Col. They are identified by Mr. Ashmead as Ho-
memus bijugis Uhler, which is probably a variety of H. aneifrons Say.
Yucca-insects. One day I examined the flowers of Yucca angustifolia
at West Cliff for insects, having at the time just read some articles on the
Yucca controversy.. I found many Aphides, and some ants, possibly
Formica ciliata Mayr, and on the outside of one of the flowers a bee,
Nomia nortoni Cress. The Hymenoptera were kindly examined by Mr.
Ashmead.
Cenonympha eggs. On June 26, 1889, I caught a Q Cenonympha
ochracea near Texas Creek, Custer County. From its abdomen I ob-
tained an egg by pressure; it was pale yellow, globular and large for the
size of the insect. It proved infertile —T. D. A. COCKERELL.
J. W. Turt—Rayleigh Villa, Westcombe Park, London, E. England—
is engaged on a Monograph of the varieties of Nocru occurring in Great .
Britain, with descriptions, etc., of the varieties of these species occurring
in other countries, and would be pleased to hear from the readers of En-
TOMOLOGICAL News as to any striking forms of variation that may come
under their notice.
THE GLANVILLE FRITLARY.—‘ This butterfly took its name from the
ingenious ).ady Glanville, whose memory liked to have suffered for her
curiosity. Some relations that were disappointed by her will, attempted
to set it aside by acts of lunacy; for they suggested that none but those
who were deprived of ‘their senses, would go in pursuit of butterflies.
Her relations and legatees cited Sir Hans Sloane and Mr. Ray to support
her character; the last gentleman went to Exeter, and on the trial satisfied
the judge and jury of the lady’s laudable inquiry into the wonderful works
of the Creation; and established her will.—Aarris’ Aurelian 1766.
“T RECOLLECT some ten or twelve years ago, one Sunday, whilst col-
lecting in a neglected field, near Bernard’s dam, that the proprietor of the
ground, or of some neighboring territory, a pleasant, hale old gentleman,
came down in his shirt sleaves to gratify his curiosity in regard to my
doings. He first approached with the proper caution due to nearing an
equivocal animal, but assuring himself by the placidity of my countenance,
doubtless, that there was no apparent danger to be dreaded, he approached
76 ENTOMOLOGICAL : NEWS. [May,
me, and in the Pennsylvania German dialect asked what I was doing. I
showed him my collecting-box and its contents, my net, etc., and as at
' that moment a large female of the Zphestion butterfly flew near, I joined
example to precept by capturing and killing and pinning it in my collect-
ing-box in his presence. The most difficult part to make the old gentle-
man comprehend, was what the things could be used for after they were
caught. I attempted an explanation. Whether I was successful in doing
so to his satisfaction I still doubt, however, he seemed pleased, and by
way of explanation said, as he departed, ‘Ich haab dich gasayn for ein
bar Suntaag here und durt so rum springe un ich hab gaydenkt du waarst
so ein kaerl wo nicht gons recht in kopf war, aber.’* Here he paused
and looked puzzled, and I fear to this day the worthy old husbandman
(bless his kindly face) is still, if living, in a state of suspense as regards
my being responsible for my actions-before the Lord and my fellow-man.”’
THE EXPEDITION sent out by the Academy has been heard from several
times; they are doing good work, and are all well. The last report says,
‘We have just arrived at Vera Cruz after a very enjoyable and interesting
time in Yucatan. Expect to go straight to Orizaba. This morning, early,
we saw the snow-clad peak of Orizaba in the distance.” :
WHILE watching a luna moth just after it emerged from the cocoon. |
noticed that the small and unexpanded wings were light yellow in color,
and I thought it would be abnormal in coloration, but at the base of the
wing I saw a small area, which was of a beautiful light green, and as the
moth gradually expanded the wings this was distributed through them,
making the color normal. This is another proof of the fact that the wings
are expanded by the moth pumping a fluid into them when they are soft
and elastic.—H. SKINNER.
THE fine collection of insects made by the late Stephen Calverley has
been presented to the Brooklyn Institute by his son.
PLANS FOR EXTERMINATING MosQuIToEs.—Mrs. Eugene M. Aaron, of
1832 Pine Street, has been awarded the first prize offered by Dr. Robert
H. Lamborn, of New York City, for the best essay on the extermination
of mosquitoes, especially by Dragon-flies. The-second and third prizes
have ceen divided equally between Mr. Archibald C. Weeks, 120 Broad-
way, New York, and Mr. William Beutenmiiller, 132 East Seventy-sixth
Street, New York. It is understood that Dr. Lamborn will publish the
essays. The judges who made the awards were the Rev. Dr. Henry C.
McCook, of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and Prof.
J. S. Newberry, of the School of Mines, Columbia College, New York.
Mr. J. D. Evans, in the ‘‘ Ottawa Naturalist,’’ vol. iii, No. 4, reports
Erebia epipsodea as being found at Sudbury on the Canadian Pacific
Railroad.
* “TJ have seen you running around here for the last couple of Sundays, and I thought
you were one of those fellows who were not quite right in the upper story, but’——
Oe nae a ee
18go. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 77
Entomological Literature.
Die ZWEIFLUGLER DES KAISERLICHEN MUSEUMS ZU WIEN, IV.—Vo-
rarbeiten zu einer Monographie des Muscaria Schizometopa (exclusive
_ Anthomyidz) ParsI. Von Prof. Dr. Friedrich Brauer, W. M. K. Akad.,
und J. Edl. v. Bergenstamm (Mit 11 Tafeln), Denkschr. d. math.-wissens.
Classe d. k. Akad. d. Wissensch. Bd. lvi, pp. 1—112, pls. i—xi, 4to. 1889.
—Only he who has endeavored to find his way in the devious labyrinth of
the calyptrate Muscidz can appreciate this important and valuable paper,
the most important that has ever appeared on the subject, and one that
will mark a new epoch in our knowledge of the group. To give even an
outline of its contents is impracticable here, nor would I feel at all com-
petent for the task, were my opportunities unlimited. A paper that intro-
duces fifty new families and one hundred and fifty new genera would
appall any ordinary critic, and I know only enough about the insects to
appreciate the labor and research the paper has cost. The authors, fol-
lowing out Prof. Brauer’s previously published taxonomic views, present
an almost entirely new classification of the group, which is coextensive
‘with what has been generally known as the Muscide calyptrate, with the
inclusion of the Oestridz. ‘‘ Families,’ groups and genera are defined,
and three hundred and ten admirable lithograph figures, graphically illus-
trate most of the genera. All the known genera are not included; only
‘those of which the authors had definite or artoptic knowledge; still, there
cannot be many wanting, and the work must remain as the size gua non
of all dipterologists who have anything to do with these flies. The work
is nothing if not iconoclastic, and I do not think will, and ought not to,
obtain the concurrence of entomologists in all respects. The authors’
conception of the genus is, I think, not tenable, and there is a great lack
of uniformity in the group names. But, whatever the differences may be,
_all will unite in their appreciation of the great value of this bahubrechend
work.—S. W. WILLISTON.
PROCEEDINGS ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES PHILADELPHIA, Part III,
1889.—Antennz of Coleoptera, by Geo. H. Horn, M.D. Ona new spe-
cies of Spider of the genus Dinopis from the Southern United States by
Geo. Marx, M. D.
_A SEAson’s WorK AMONG THE ENEMIES OF THE HORTICULTURIST, by
Clarence M. Weed. The enemies referred to in this paper are of two
kinds: insects and fungi. The insects treated of are the Rhubarb Snout
Beetle, Imported Currant Worm, Plum Curculio, Striped Cucumber Bee-
tle, Cherry Tree Slug and Strawberry Root Louse. The appropriate
remedies are given to destroy each of these pests.
* THE ENToMOLOoGIst1, London, March, 1890.—The Evolution of Insect-
galls by T. D. A. Cockerell. Notes on the Economy of Refinia resinella,
R. Adkin. Rhopalocera at Digne, Mrs. Nicholl. One the Phylogenetic
78 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
significance of the wing-markings in certain genenera of the Nymphalide,
F. A. Dixey. New species of Lepidoptera from China, J. H. Leech. De-
scriptions of new species of Phytophagous Coleoptera received by Mr. J.
H. Leech from Chang-Yang, China, Martin Jacoby. Descriptions of the
Homopterous family Cicadide, W. L. Distant. Notes on Aybocampa
milhauseri, T. A. Chapman. Faroe Islands, Rev. Dr. Walker. Ento-
mological Notes, Captures, etc., and doings of societies, etc., complete
the number. By 5
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL History, vol. v, No. 27, London.
—Descriptions of new species of Lepidoptera (Heterocera) from Central
America, Herbert Druce. The new species mentioned in the above paper
are figured in the Biologia Centrali-Americana. Descriptions of two new
Central American Buprestidz, C. O. Waterhouse. Description of a new
Papilio from the West coast of Africa, H. Grose Smith (Papilion harpa-
gon). On the constitution of the body in the Blattide, E. Haase. De-
scription of a new genus of the Homopterous family Cicadidze, W. L.
Distant.
BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA, Part LXXXI, December, 1889.—,
(Received March, 1890). Contains ARACHNID ARANEIDEA, O. Pickard
Cambridge, pp. 49—56, pl. 5, thirteen colored figures. COLEOPTERA, vol.
ii, pt. 2. H.W. Bates, pp. 385—416, pl. 24, twenty-five colored figures.
COLEOPTERA Vol. iii, pt. 1, C. O. Waterhouse, pp. 169—193. COLEOPTERA
vol. iv, pt. 2, G. C. Champion, pp. 103—120, pl. 5, twenty-five colored
figures. LEPIDOPTERA, HETEROCERA, H. Druce, pp. 337—344, plate 5,
twenty-fiva colored figures. ._RHYNCHOTA HETEROPTERA W. L. Distant,
pp. 32I—328, pl. 30, twenty-five colored figures. Quite a number of new
species are described and handsomely illustrated.
BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA Part LXXXII, January, 1890 (Rec’d
March, 1890).—COLEOPTERA vol. ii, part 2, H. W. Bates, pp. 417—432.
COLEGPTERA vol. iv, part 2, G. C. Champion, pp. 121—160, plates 6 and
7, fifty-one colored figures. LEPIDOPTERA HETEROCERA Vol. i, H. Druce,
pp. 345—368, plate 31, fifteen colored figures. DipTera vol. ii, F. M.
van der Wulp, pp. 41—56.
The ENTOMOLOGIST’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE (London) March, 1890.—
Synopsis of the British ORTHOPTERA (continued), Eland Shaw. CoLs-
OpTERA in Norfolk, James Edwards. Descriptions of some new species
of South American Halticide of the group CEprropeEs (continued), Mar-
tin Jacoby. Descriptions of four new species of the genus Cas¢nia from
South America, Herbert Druce. Notes on British Zor¢rices (continued),
C. G. Barrett. Notes on the COLEOPTERA and LEPprmpopTERA (/Aopaloc.)
of Norway, G. C. Champion (with list of Norwegian butterflies by W. M..
Schépen). Notes on British and Exotic Coccidz. J. W. Douglas. HEm-
IPTERA HETEROPTERA at Dover and its vicinity, G. C. Hall. Stenamma
ee ee
Sa an ey
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 79
Westwoodii at Maidstone, G. E. Frisby. (Cs cis bilameliatus breeding in
captivity, Rev. Theodore Wood. Harpalus obscurus H. R. Tottenham.
Casual captures of CoLEopTERA, J. J. Walker. CoLropera in the North
of Ireland, Rev. W. F. Johnson. Obderea oculata, Rev. C. Fowler.
Mycterus curculionides from near Oxford, Id. On the larva of Giza
spadicea and G. vaccinii, T. A. Chapman, M.D. A point concerning
hybridization, H. W. Vivian. Some Micro-LeprpopTera of the Chalk
- Hills near Reading, W. Holland. <Aciptitia paludum in the New Forest,
Id. Mecyna polygonalis Tr. in ‘New Zealand, E. Meyrick. Nepticula .
pyri, a species new to Britain, J. H. Wood. Scoparia basistrigalis as dis-
tinct from S. ambigualis G..T. Porritt. Identity of Dianthecia carpo-
phaga and D. capsophila, W. ¥. H. Blandford. Drepanopteryx phale-
noides in Durham, Ames Mitchell.
Doings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGIYAL SECTION ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILA-
DELPHIA, March 27, 1890.—Members present: Messrs. Martindale, Rid-
ings, Skinner, Liebeck, Seeber, Castle, Calvert, Westcott, Mr. Mengel
and Mr. Fox, visitors. Dr. Geo. H. Horn, Director, in the chair. Verbal
communications being in order, Dr. Horn called attention to a box con-
taining Cercyonand allied genera, with all the known species represented.
He exhibited plates showing anatomical characteristics of Cercyon. The
shape of the meso-sternum was considered in relation to classification. A
lighter colored region of the meta-ste: itm is defined or not according to
circumstances. The genus Cryp/op/eurum has a well defined line or ex-
tension of the meta-sternum, which has value as a basis of comparison.
In Cercyon the pro-sternum is a carina, and in some genera a broad plate.
Points in the comparative anatomy of the genera were considered at
length. He further stated that the proper way to study genera is by a
comparison of the gradations of anatomical features. Mr. Calvert spoke
: of the list of dragon-flies collected at Manchester, Me., by Miss Wads-
worth, forty-three species being enumerated, which is a very creditable
showing. The number of species observed in comparison to other places
is large, as in Great Britain only forty-six species are enumerated accord-
ing to McLachlan. Mr. Calvert estimated the species of this locality
(Philadelphia) as fifty. pitheca Walshit is the rarest species in the Maine
list, only four <f‘ and one 2 specimens being known. Dr. Hagen has lately
published a synopsis of the dragon-flies of North America, to which Mr.
Calvert called attention. The following specimens were donated to the
cabinet: Rhodites fusiformans Ckl., four specimens; Syntomaspis mon-
ticola Ashm., one specimen. Galls of 7rypeta bigelovie Ckl. Galls of
fo oe —-
J
: eS
80 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
Rhodites vosefolia, Ckl. (the flies have since emerged), all from Mr. .
Cockerell, West Cliff, Colorado. Pimpla grapholithe Cress., presented
by Dr. John Hamilton.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.—March 6, 1890. Mr,
Schwarz exhibited and remarked upon the following species of Coleop-
tera, which are new to the fauna of North America: Lathridius ( Conino-
mus) nodifer Westwood; Actinopteryx fucicola Allibert; Arrhipis Laneri
Guerin and Prodatius umbratilis Duval. He also showed specimens of
‘Temnochila Hubbardi Léveilleé, and Teretriosoma Hornii Lewis, re-
cently described in European journals from the semi-tropical region of
Florida. He finally drew attention to Dr. Horn’s recent Revision of the
North American species of Ochthebius, and spoke of the geographical
distribution of these aquatic beetles. Discussion followed by various
members.
* The Secretary presented a note on a Dipterous larva infesting the seeds
of Xanthium. He had found that these larvz at Manhattan, Kansas and
during the past winter in the District. Drawings were exhibited iJlustra-
_ ting the larva and the nature of its work.
The Secretary also presented a short note on the food-habits of Psilop-
tera drummondi.
These notes were discussed by Schwarz, Townsend and Howard.
Mr. Townsend read a paper entitled, ‘‘ Notes on Acridiidz in Michigan,”
which related more particularly to dates of appearance and habits.
C. L. MARLATT,
Recording Secretary.
Lt)
VU
ERRATA. ;
Fast 56, line 10 from top, for exista read exusta.
58, ‘“‘ 6 from bottom, for Sagmache, vead Sagnache.
~* 60, “ 5 from top, for Amstat, read Austat.
“ 61, “‘ 15 from top, for Dyctide read Dyctidea.
* 61, “‘ 18 from top, for 7ilicen read Tibicen.
“ 64, ‘‘ 6 from top, for fusciformans read fusiformans.
“ 64, “‘ 8 from top, for Cemthophilus read Centhophilus.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for April was mailed March 25, 189o.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VG Bir. JUNE, 1890. No. 6.
CONTENTS:
Slosson—Winter collecting in Florida.. 81 | Wickham—On the Habits of some Me-
Fox—Aculeate Hymenoptera new to loini ........ 89
Pennsylvania and New Jersey.. ..... 83 | Van Winkle—Collecting by lamplight.. 91
Skinner—Geographical Variation........ 84 | NCCE Bae W lees 020 0cass cnc ccsestdtlboens sdeces 92
P. P. C.—Elementary Entomology....... 86 Entomological Literature............... 2200+ 95 |
Cordley—“‘ Sports” in Venation............. 88
WINTER COLLECTING IN FLORIDA.
BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON.
I reached Florida this year on January 25th. Butterflies were
flying at that season in Jacksonville, and I saw from my window
Callidryas eubule, Terias delia, Limenitis disifpus, Danais ar-
chippus, and some of the Hesperide. At night, though the
weather was cool, Agrotis incivis and A. malefida came to the
' piazza lights by the dozen. On the 27th, at Sanford, about one
hundred and twenty-five miles farther south, several moths came
to the rather dimly-lighted windows, among them the Southern
form of Hyperchiria to, Dr. Strecker’s Llith—Eudioptis hyalinata
and Agrotis incivis. On the 28th we went to Punta Gorda
(Charlotte Harbor) and remained there until March. There had
been no rain there for some four or five months, consequently
vegetation was backward, and there were very few flowers, but
insects were plentiful. During the first few days after my arrival
I saw P. cresphontes, P. palamedes, P. ajax, P. troilus, P. turnus,
D. archippus, L. disippus, L. eros, Pieris monuste, Agraulis
vanille, Terias delia, T. lisa, Callidryas eubule and Junonia
centa, besides numerous Hesperide. A few days later, about
6
cL)
82 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
the few orange blossoms which opened in spite of the drought,
we found beautiful specimens of Zrycides batabano. They flut-
tered about the fragrant flowers like humming birds, their wings
glancing in the sunlight with touches of sapphire and emerald.
With them, and sipping from the same blossoms, we took three
specimens of an A/yfza new to me, and which I cannot place till -
_I have access to my books. Along the shore, just inside the
thicket of mangroves, are long flat stretches of sand, often sub-
merged and always wet. On these grow little but samphire (Sa/z-
cornia ambigua) Lresine vermicularis and such marine plants with
fleshy, succulent leaves and insignificant flowers. But over these
in the hot sunshine at midday were always flitting tiny Lycenas
and 7heclas. Here I took the little bronzy LZ. zsophthalma, L.
filenus, L. theonus (a lovely little species, the female with wings
almost white), Zhecla peas, T. M-album and T. melinus (this
last name is given me by Dr. Henry Skinner). There were so
very few blossoms that I knew nearly every plant which bloomed,
and could visit each one as I made my collecting rounds. One
large thistle (C. horridulum) with several heads of pale yellow
flowers was always a favorite spot for insects, and wherever a
plant of the ugly fireweed (Avechthites) lifted its greenish, com-
monplace heads of flowers they were surrounded by little gay-
winged lovers. Seeing at a distance one day what looked like a
patch of large white blossoms I went towards it only to find a mat
of the little creeping hyssop (Herfestis monniera) with tiny lav-
ender flowers covered with the Southern cabbage butterfly (?.
monuste). Therg were at least twenty on a patch not two feet ~
square. Hesperidz abounded, skipping jerkily about the grounds
of the hotel and over the palmetto scrub; Pamphila brettus, P.
fusca, P. phyleus (Dr. Skinner gives me these names), P. a7pa,
P. maculata and several others yet unnamed. Calephelis centus
was also abundant. The evenings were generally windy and cool,
not favorable conditions for moth hunting, but we met with com-
parative success. At light we captured many fine specimens,
some still unidentified. Here we took Ayparpax auricinctus (1
think that this is the name given last year by Mr. Graef, but I
have no book for reference), Varina ornata Neumoegen, Lito-
prosopus futilis G. & R., Byssodes obrussata Gr., Lepiodes scolo-
pacinaria Guen., Dilophonota obscura Fab., Ellema coniferarum
A. & S., Lagoa pyxidifera A. & S., Plateceticus gloveri Pack.,
EEE eee eee ae
ES hae -
<7.
—_—- 1"
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 83
Trama hinna Gey., Phurys vinculum Guen., Euhatlisidota longa
Gr. and many other species. The true collector is always san-
guine, and I have great hopes concerning my unnamed speci-
mens. One large, oddly-marked sphinx fills me with visions of
a new genus as well as species, and I have already selected its
name. There is also a strange and beautiful moth, apparently
one of the Zygzenidz, unlike anything I have seen or of which
I have read. I found feeding upon the tomato vines in the hotel
_ garden many larvee of Phlegethontius celeus, and upon the sweet
potato and omea pes-capre, \arve of P. cingulata. These
were all full grown; I placed several of them with their food-
plant in a box of earth where they soon buried themselves and
transformed, but though they have been in the pupa state nearly
five weeks no moth has yet emerged. I also found feeding upon
mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and upon Conocarpus erecta
young larve of Hyperchiria io Fab. I have reared them and
_ they are just spinning themselves up among some leaves. “They
do not differ in any respect, as far as I can see, from the typical
form, and I am anxious to see if they will develop into var. Z/ith
Strecker.
(To be continued.)
t).
VU
Aculeate Hymenoptera new to Pennsylvania
and New Jersey.
BY WILLIAM J. FOX.
_ The following list of Aculeate Hymenoptera may prove of in-
terest to some readers of the NEws, as it adds a few more species
to the fauna of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The majority of
them were collected at Westville, N. J., several miles below
Philadelphia, during 1889. The localities in parentheses signify
where the species was recorded from before publication of this
article.
Mutilla ornativentris Cress. Several specimens, Westville, N. J.,
1889 (Southern and Western States).
Mutilla dubitata Sm. Several specimens taken with the pre-
ceding species (Florida, Georgia, Colorado).
Mutilla thoracica Blake. One specimen of this small species
was captured Oct. 29, 1889 (New York).
84 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
Spherophthalma cypris Blake. This species was moderately
common at Westville during the summer of 1889 (Georgia).
Spherophthalma canadensis Blake. About a dozen specimens
were taken in the same locality (Canada).
Tachytes mandibularis Patton. Taken at Westville, N. J.,
1889. One specimen (Connecticut).
Philanthus Sanborni Cress. Westville, N. J., August, 1889.
One female (Massachusetts).
Crabro trapezoideus Pack. One male, Fairmount Park, Phila-
delphia, September, 1889 (Illinois).
Thyreopus cingulatus Pack. Westville, N. J., Oct. 29, 1889.
One female (Illinois).
Anacrabro occellatus Pack. Three specimens, one male and
two females, Westville, N. J., July and August, 1889 (Mass., Ill. ).
Vespa occidentalis Cress. One specimen, Fairmount Park,
Philadelphia, September, 1889. Flying in company with V.
germanica, vidua and diabolica (Nevada, New Mexico).
Nomada texana Cress. Two specimens, both females, Camden,
N. J., 1889 (Texas).
Nomada lepida Cress. Three specimens (males), Franklinville,
Pa., April 20, 1890. Flying over and alighting on dry saeey
piliew? in the woods (Illinois, Colorado, Texas).
Mellissodes compta Cress. One female of this handsome spe-
cies taken in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Sept., 1889 (Ga.).
Apathus variabilis Cress. Gloucester, N. J., August?, 1889.
One specimen (Texas).
All these species were compared with those in the collection of
the American Entomological Society, which contains the ¢ypes of
nearly all the insects mentioned.
0).
VU
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION.
BY HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
Dr. John Hamilton, in a recent paper (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.
vol. xvi, p. 88), gives a list of the Coleoptera common to North
America, Northern Asia and Europe, and Mr. Cockerell (Ento-
mologist’s Record and Journal of Variation vol. i, No. 1, p. 9) a
list of the ‘‘ American Species of Lepidoptera Representative of
European;’’ also on page 13 of same work, ‘‘ American Varieties
— sen
“1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 85
of British Species (Lepidoptera).’’ These papers are very in-
teresting and instructive, and suggest many other lines of investi-
gation of a similar character. When the Lepidoptera have been
more exhaustively studied after the plan adopted by Dr. Hamilton
in the Coleoptera, I have no doubt the results will be interesting,
and a number of species now considered distinct more or’account
of difference of locality than anything else, will be amalgamated.
It has been noted that the Pacific coast fauna more nearly ap-
proaches that of Europe than the Eastern, but I do not know that
in a species common to both countries a greater similarity has been
noticed between the Western specimens and those of Europe than
the Eastern. Last Summer I had sent to me a number of chrysa-
lids of Vanessa antiopa from San Jose, Cal., and when they dis-
closed the perfect insects I found them all to be intergrades be-
tween the specimens found here (Philadelphia) and those of
England and Germany. I had previously noticed that the Eu- .
ropean anfiopa could always be distinguished from the American
example by the less irrorate character, and usually lighter color
of the yellow border of the wings, the former of which is gen-
erally most markedly illustrated on the little tail to the inferior
wings and the similar projection on the superiors. The European
specimens are also usually smaller. The Californian examples
are intermediate between the Eastern and European as far as the
dark peppering on the border is concerned, and could be readily
picked out from the others. I leave it to some one else to point
out the significance of the observation. Among the chrysalids
there was one, three or four shades lighter in color than the rest,
and perhaps also a little larger, which disclosed the rare and in-
teresting variety hygiga Hdrch. (Verz. Eur. Schmett. Pp. 7, 1851),
of which “ixtnerii Fitch (3d Rep. Trans. N. Y. State Agr. Soc.
p- 485, 1856) isasynonym. It will beinteresting to know-whether
a very much lighter colored chrysalis is an indication of a coming
hygi@a. In Mr. Cockerell’s list of ‘‘ American Species Repre-
sentative of European’ he omits Vanessa Californica and V.
polychloros, which are probably one and the same thing. It would
be interesting to know whether Cadifornica produces anything
analogous or the same as the varieties of polychloros, testudo and
pyromelas given in Kirby. I do not know of any described va- |
riety of the American species. Gvrapta faunus and G. C-album
are undoubtedly identical, as has been pointed out by Strecker.
86 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
To the list of American varieties of British species may be added
P. rape, var. immaculata (Can. Ent. July, 1889, p. 128); this
makes five in all. I hope that some one will give a list with the
bibliography, of the Lepidoptera common to Europe and America,
and when a new list of the North American Lepidoptera is pre-
pared the whole geographical range of the species (when found
outside of America) will be given.
0)
Vv
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Second Paper—THE GENERAL STRUCTURE OF INSECTS.
In those papers of this series which treat of the anatomy of
Insects in general, we have largely drawn, with the author’s per-
mission, from Prof. J. H. Comstock’s excellent ‘‘ Introduction to
Entomology.’’*
Thanks to the kindness of Prof. A. S. Packard, we have also
made use of his well-known ‘‘ Guide’’} and his valuable ‘‘ Ento-
mology for Beginners.’’{ |
As stated in the first paper the body of an Arthropod, and
consequently that of an Insect, is made up of a series of rings or
segments, within which are the vital apparatus and muscles. Con-
fining our attention to insects, it is to be noticed that even young
larvee§ just hatched from the egg show this segmentation of the
* An Introduction to Entomology by John Henry Comstock, Professor
of Entomology and General Invertebrate Zéology in Cornell University,
and formerly United States Entomologist. With many original illustra-
tions drawn and engraved by Anna Botsford Comstock. Ithaca, N. Y.
Published by the author 1888, pp. iv, 234, 201 figures: Price $2.00.
+ Guide to the study of Insects and a treatise on those injurious and
beneficial to crops for the use of Colleges, Farm-schools and Agriculturists
by Alpheus S. Packard, M.D., with fifteen plates and 670 woodcuts; ninth
edition. New York, Henrf Holt & Co., 1889, 715 pp. (first edition, 1869,
Salem) :
t Entomology for Beginners. For the use of Young Folks, Fruit-
growers, Farmers and Gardeners, by A. S. Packard, M.D., Ph. D.; second
edition, revised. New York, Henry Holt & Co., 1889, 367 pp. 272 figs.
2 It is hardly necessary to remind the reader that an Insect is an Insect,
whether it is an unhatched egg, a growing larva, an apparently lifeless
pupa, or a flying or creeping imago. Imagos being so much more con-
spicuous than the preceding stages, have naturally received both common
and scientific names first.
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | 87
body. If such a young larva be examined* the jointed appear-
- ance of the exterior will be seen: The skin of this young larva
is quite soft, but becomes harder as the larva grows. This hard-
ening is due to the deposition in the outer layer of the skin
(called the cutrcle) of a horny substance—chztine. The chitine is
deposited in the cuticle of the different segments, but there is
left a narrow space around the body between each segment, in
which there is little or no chitine. These narrow rings of unaf-
fected skin divide the segments from each other, and are termed
sutures. Remaining soft, the sutures permit a freedom of motion
of the hard segments upon each other.
In larve the sutures are usually wider than in the correspond-
ing imagos. Very often the sutures themselves become hardened
by chitine, so that the line of separation between two segments
disappears. Such an obliteration of sutures occurs very fre-
quently in the head and fore-parts of imagos, and less frequently
in the hind parts. .
We have spoken of the segments as hard, but the hard part
of any one segment is not a continuous ring. On the contrary,
the hard part of a segment consists of several pieces which are
more or less free to move upon each other. These pieces are the
sclerites (from the Greek sk/eros, hard). Some of the soft cuticle
remains between the sclerites, and this separating portion also
receives the name of suture, and like an inter-segmental suture
may also become ‘‘ obsolete’’ (7. @. obliterated).
The skin, originally soft, but now with its cuticle hardened in
the segments, the hard part of each segment consisting of several
sclerites, forms the dody-wadl of the Insect.
The reader of this series already knows that all an insect’s
growth is completed in its larval state. As a larva grows quite
rapidly, and as chitine is being constantly deposited in the cuticle,
the cuticle thus hardened loses its elasticity and is soon too small
for the increasing size of the body. Consequently it splits along
the middle line of the back, and through this fissure the insect
withdraws itself from its chitinous coat. Or, in other cases, the
cuticle comes off gradually in thin shreds. The ‘‘new skin”
contains very little chitine as yet, and being quite elastic, stretches
to accommodate the size of the body. This skin (cuticle) in turn
* The student cannot be too strongly reminded that he should compare
these papers with some insect, say a grasshopper.
88 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
becomes hardened, is likewise cast off, or mou/ted, and succeeded —
by others, varying in number in different species of insects. Very
often there are changes in the shape, color, etc., of the larva after
successive moults.
Technical names for the process of moulting are- <a and
exuviation, and for the moulted skins, exuvi@.
In the case of those insects passing through a complete trans-
formation, when the larva moults for the last time, it becomes a —
pupa, usually of quite dissimilar shape from the larva, and usually
quiet, that is, does not move from place to place. The last moult
of the insect’s life is when the cuticle of the pupa splits open and
the imago emerges, and, after a short period, spreads its wings
and begins its zerial life.
Where the insect undergoes but an incomplete rranisfor sited,
when the nymph moults for the last time, the imago state is en-
tered at once.
Hitherto, in speaking of the ested form of an insect’s
body, reference has been made solely to the body-wall. So far
as the internal organs are concerned, the muscles, the nervous,
circulatory and respiratory systems, at least, are more or less
arranged in correspondence with the segmentation of the body-
wall. PY Pre:
Cr).
Vv
“SPORTS” IN VENATION.
BY A. B. CORDLEY.
Some time ago while studying the Hymenoptera collected
during the seasons of 1888 and 1889, I found three specimens
which puzzled me very much. They apparently belonged to the
genus omada, but differed from all the specimens of that genus
in our collection in that the anterior wings had but two submar-
ginal cells. I sent one of the specimens for determination to Mr.
E. T. Cresson, who replied as follows : ‘‘ The bee you sent is one
of the varieties of Momada maculata Cress., a very variable spe-
cies. I have seen specimens in which the first transverse cubital
nervure was obliterated in one ‘anterior wing, but not in both as
in the specimen you sent. Are these nervures absent in both
wings in the specimens you have? If so it is both curious and
interesting. Such ‘sports’ occur frequently among the Saw-flies,
but rarely among bees.’’ On referring to the specimens retained ~
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 89
I found that the nervure in question was totally obliterated in
both anterior wings of both specimens. I also found that both
specimens did not belong to the same species, one of them prov-
ing to be Nomada imbricata. Of the other thirteen specimens
of maculata, and seven specimens of zméricata, taken during the
same time, all have the three submarginal cells complete, there
being no apparent tendency of the first transverse cubital nervure
to become obliterated. I have, also, one specimen of Colletes
Sp. and one of Andrena Sp., which have three submarginal cells
to one anterior wing, but only two to the other.
oO
ON THE HABITS OF SOME MELOINI.
. . BY H. F. WICKHAM.
Some of our large Western Meloini make striking additions
to any cabinet by their bright colors and curious forms. Of these
the most beautiful is, in my estimation, Cysteodemus wislizent.
This species, with its small head and thorax and immensely in-
flated elytra which give the hinder part of the body a globular
outline, is rather a clumsy object, though its bright blue color
more than compensates for any inelegance of form. One who
had seen only déad specimens would naturally suppose that it
was slow in movement when in fact the exact reverse is the case.
In 1888 I spent a few days at Luna, N. Mex., a nominal station
twenty-two miles west of Albuquerque. Near the switch the
grass was growing very luxuriantly, and here I had the good
fortune to find a colony of this pretty beetle. We arrived in the
early morning, and just as I was getting up from the breakfast
table in our car, one of the men who had gone out-a few minutes
before me stuck his head in the door and deposited a ‘‘ bug’’ on
the floor, which he said he had found running around just out-
side the car. He looked on it with suspicion, for it had exuded
a quaritity of yellowish liquid which stuck to our friend’s fingers
and smelled something like an infusion of all the different vege-
tables one can think of. I didn’t let this prevent me from picking
up the “‘bug,’’ which proved to be the Cysteodemus mentioned
above, and after a few moments spent in admiration of the brilliant
colors, started out to find some more.
I was not yet familiar with its habits, and got only two or three
in the few minutes I had to spare before leaving for the scene of
go ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
our work through the day, but on coming back about six o’ clock
P. M., I saw a few more running around. They hold the body
high up from the ground and get over the ground at a good rate,
looking as if they ran on tiptoe, if we may use such an expression
in speaking of insects. I gathered these into the fold, and, as.
soon as supper was over, a search in the grass disclosed a num-
ber of them hanging to the blades a little distance from the ground,,.
apparently feeding, and others taking their evening exercise.
Before I left the place I had an opportunity to spend an entire
day collecting, and I found that they were all hidden during the
middle of the day, but came out to feed or run around in the
morning and evening, staying out in the morning until about nine
o'clock and coming out again about five o’clock P. M. I never
saw this species at any other place, though I looked for it care-
fully in many different localities. The captures were made early
in August.
Another ugly species, from an esthetic point of view, is Wegetra
vittata, a near ally of our Cysteodemus, but with shorter and less
inflated wing covers, which do not cover the abdomen. Dried
specimens do not give a good idea of the clumsy unwieldliness of —
the living females of this species, which are so distended with
eggs and food, that it seems almost impossible for them to move.
They do move, however, though they have not the speed of the
preceding species, the abdomen dragging on the ground. The
males are more active, and in running lift the body high up like
the Cysteodemus. The first specimen I saw of Megetra was a
male, which ran across the platform at Coolidge, N. Mex., July
4, 1888. Next year I looked carefully for the species for nearly
a whole day without success, when about four o’clock P. M. I
noticed some dark objects in a ‘‘ greasewood’’ bush; I went over
to investigate, and found a number of these insects feeding on the
leaves and others just climbing up the stems, When I counted
up the catch I found that I had over forty specimens of both
sexes. This was about the 12th of September, and this month
is probably their pairing-time, as I took only isolated specimens
at other times.
Mele sublevis is found at the,same time, and in company with
the two species mentioned, but seems to be rarer, as I found only
about a dozen in all. JZ impressus I took in May at Cheyenne,
Wyo., feeding on low plants in the early part of the day. J.
americanus occurred at Bismarck, Dak., in August, feeding in
the middle of the day.
~ 1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ; QI
COLLECTING BY LAMPLIGHT.
et, | BY A. S. VAN WINKLE.
(Continued from p. 69, vol. i.)
In order to show the curious connection between the state of
the weather and the degree in which moths were attracted to light
I will now append the following table, which may prove of great
interest to young entomologists, with a view that they may
prepare tables in like manner:
DATE. No. Moths. REMARKS.
Dec. 13 I Fine starlight.
14 75 Drizzling and foggy.
15 41 Showers, cloudy.
16 158 (120 species) Steady rain.
17 82 Wet, rather moonlight.
18 9 Fine moonlight. .
19 2 Fine, clear.
31 200 (130 species) Dark, windy and heavy rain.
Jan. 1 185 Very wet.
2 68 Cloudy and showers.
3 50 Cloudy and showers.
4 12 Fine.
5 10 Fine.
6 8 Very fine.
7 8 Very fine.
8 Io Fine.
9 36 Showery.
Io 30 Showery.
II 260 Heavy rain all night and very dark.
12 56 Showery.
13 44 Showery, some moonlight.
14 4 Fine, moonlight.
15 24 Rain.
16 6 «Showers.
17 6 Showers.
18 I Showers.
Total, 1386
‘Thus it appears that on twenty-six nights I collected 1386
moths, but that more than 800 of them were: collected on four
very wet and dark nights. My success here led me to hope that,
by similar arrangements, I might, in every island, be able to ob-
_ tain abundance of these insects, but strange to say, during the
six succeeding years I was never once able to make any collections.
at all approaching those at Sarawak.’’
92 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [June,
On reading the above I wished that we had a great many more
Wallaces than we do have, ze. if the entomologists of our own
country would follow in the footsteps of this great English ento- —
mologist the progress of entomology would be much greater. A
great many entomologists at present prepare large lists of insects,
but probably one in a hundred cites the locality in which the in-
sects are found; a great many on the other hand say North
America, which means anywhere between the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, or from the Northern border of Central America to the
confines of eternal snow, or just give the separate States. This
is a fine state of affairs, is it not? This is also especially exas-
perating to the student of geographical distribution of insects.
The exact locality I think is as of much importance as it is to
know what species of plant or plants this or that species of insect
feeds on. I hope that hereafter entomologists will pay more at-
tention to the citation of localities. We know what care botanists
take when out collecting, they jot down notes of each and every
species of plant that they find, of their habits, situatidn and lo-
cality right on the spot. For a very interesting and instructive
paper on this subject I would refer the reader to the March num-
ber -of the ‘‘Canadian Entomologist,’’ page 46, where Mr.
Cockerell expresses his views.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
Dr. S. W. WILListon, of Yale University, New Haven, Conn., the —
Dipterologist, has accepted a professorship in the University of Kansas,
at Lawrence.
INSECTS NAMED.—1. Penthe obliqguata; 2. Melanotus communis; 3.
Flolotrophus bifasciatus ; 4. Aphorista vittata; 5. Aphodius fimetarius ;
6. Eros aurora. W. M. Hitt, Chester, Pa.
ota hy. Pay +
ris
18go. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 93
VeRY cosTtLy Insects.—Dr. L. B. Clifton, the well known naturalist,
has succeeded in hatching out a rare species of moth, known to ento-
mologists as Affacus luna. For a specimen of this moth Dr. Clifton was
paid $100 two years ago by the Earl of Roseberry, who is quite an en-
thusiast in that line. The present specimen is valued at $50.—From the
N. Y. Telegram.—(More newspaper entomology.)
POLYBIA CUBENSIS IN FLoRIDA.—Among some Florida Hymenoptera
received from Mrs. A. T. Slosson, of New York, were three specimens,
with the nest, of a species of Polybia, which, on determination, proved
to be P. cubensis Sauss. As there is no doubt as to this species being an
inhabitant of Florida, I see no reason why it should not be added to the
fauna of the United States. Mr. Charles W. Johnson, of the Wagner In-
stitute, Philadelphia, has informed me that he has also taken this species
in Florida.—Ww. J. Fox.
THAT observant naturalist, Cons. E. L. Layard, writing from New
Caledonia, bears witness to the fact of rotten fruit being a very strong
attraction to Lepidoptera. He writes: ‘‘ At this moment I have in my
verandah a parrot, which is daily regaled with a portion of banana. Every
evening I see a dozen or more of the large Sphingide and Noctue trying
to effect an entrance into the cage to get at the rotting fruit, which is gen-
erally invisible from the outside. . . ._ I always found bananas the best
bait to attract the night flyers, but only when they began to rot (hopalo-
cera Malayana).’’—Try it.
OF THE habits of the typical form of Charaxes athamas in N. W. India
we have a few particulars from Capt. Lang. It is ‘‘an insect of extremely
rapid flight, flashing like lightning up and down the rocky-bedded streams
in the Himalayan glens (3000 to 5000 feet). It pitches on rocks in mid-
stream and flashes off again if approached.’? Some Lepchas, who, in
Sikkim, make what they can by catching insects, and selling them to
visitors, take advantage of the known partiality of butterflies for wet sand.
Mr. De Nicéville states that ‘‘in one place upon a large flattish stone near
the middle of the stream the men had put some sand and kept it watered,
and it was surprising the number of butterflies that came to their ‘trap’
and were caught (Rhopalocera Malayana).”
WHILE VISITING at Sarver Station, Butler County, Pa., last July, I took
quite a number of Codias philodice, Ab. alba, and among them was a fine,
perfect male; this is the first white male that has ever been taken to my
knowledge, so this note to the NEws may prove of some interest to its
readers. It is pure white on the upper surface, with a faint yellowish tint
on the primaries; the black border, including both pairs of wings, is sprinkled
with white scales; underneath it has a smoky appearance, and the sub-
marginal row of orange spots is wanting, both on the primaries and sec-
ondaries.*—Gero. A. EHRMAN, Pittsburg, Pa.
* If the genitalia were examined this would probably be found to be a female.
94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
DOLERUS ARVENSIS Say and DOLERUS UNICOLOR Beauv.—These flies
have been plentiful in this vicinity for the past ten days or more, and are
usually found resting upon dead weeds of all sorts. They have been es-
pecially abundant among the branches and in the vicinity of a low spread-
ing bur-oak tree, the buds of which are fairly dripping with a very sweet
liquid that has oozed from them as the result of the myriad punctures
inflicted by a minute gall-fly, Newroterus vernus Gill. I visited this tree
on the 26th of April in company with a student, Mr. H. H. Raymond,
who called my attention to the mating of the black saw-fly with D. az-
vensis. A few moments later we both saw two more of these two spe-
cies pair, and a day later we each saw the same thing repeated. The
males in every case were D. unicolor, and the females D. arvensis. I
had previously noticed that of about forty specimens of each of these
species in my collection all of the former were males and all of the latter
were females. Say also notes the fact that only the male of wicolor and
the female of arvensis are known. These facts with the above observa-
tions put it beyond a doubt that these two saw-flies are male and female
of the same species. As wxicolor Beauv. was first described (1805), this
name will hold for the species, and arvensis Say will have to fall to the
rank of asynonym. While mating the male and female face in opposite
directions, and the wings and abdomen of the male are covered by the
wings of the female. The union lasts but three or four seconds.
C. P. GILLETTE.
ExcurRSION.—The committee from the Brooklyn, Newark and Philadel-
phia Societies have decided upon Upper Jamesburg, N. J., as the place
where the field-meeting of the entomologists of the three cities and neigh-
boring points is to take place on the 4th of July next. Jamesburg is on
the Amboy Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and may be reached
from New York via Perth Amboy and Rahway at 9.10.a. m., Newark at
9.36 a. m.; via. Monmouth Junction, New York, 7.20 a.m., Newark 7.50 .
a.m.. Leave Philadelphia from Broad Street Station at 6.50 a. m., via
‘Camden, at 7.10 a.m. The 7.20 a.m. from New York via Monmouth
Junction, meets the 6.50 from Philadelphia at Monmouth Junction, and
this train is recommended, as it will bring the party into Jamesburg at the
same time. Excursion fare about $2.10 from New York and Philadelphia.
All the entomologists desiring to attend will be heartily welcomed, whether
members of the societies organizing the excursion or not, but in order that
the necessary arrangements for creature comforts can be made, all those
expecting to take part in the field-meeting will please notify one of the
members of the committee as soon as convenient. Further information
can be obtained from the committee:
Dr. D. M. Castle, 2007 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
C. P. Machesney, 65 Broadway, N. Y.
C. H. Roberts, 235 W. 122d Street, N. Y.
J. B. Smith, Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. Pa
H. W. Wenzel, 1115 Moore Street, Philadelphia.
e
ea
bel =n
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 95
Entomological Literature.
Nature, February, ’90.—Notes on Dr. A. R. Wallace’s “ Darwinism,”
by T. D. A. Cockerell (an interesting paper, largely entomological).
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, No. 6, March, 1890.—‘‘ The
Genera and Species of Cryptinz revised and tabulated I,’’ O. Schmiedek-
necht.
ANALES DE LA SOCIEDAD CIENTIFICA, xxix.—Systematic and synony-
mic enumeration of the Argentine, Chilian and Uruguayan Formicide,
Dr. C. Berg.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NorD DE LA FRANCE, 2e Année, No. 7, April,
1890.—‘‘ Acarines and Marine Insects of the sides of the Boulonnais (con-
‘tinued),’’ R. Moniez.
Le NATURLISTE CANADIEN, April, 1890.—Continuation of the He-
‘miptera-Homoptera of the Province of oan i contains the following
new species, Pemphigus alni.
-Artt pEL REALE IstITUTO VENETO DI SCIENZE, LETTERE ED ARTI
(November, 1888—October, 1889), Tomo vii, “ bd of the Italian Acaro-
fauna,’’ G. Canestrini, with four plates.
OVERSIGT OVER DET KONGELIGE DANSKE VIDENSKABERNES SELSKABS
(Copenhagen). Bulletin for 1889, No. 2.—‘‘ Contribution to the anatomy
of the Ant-lions,’’ by Fr. Meinert, with two plates.
Compt. RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, I Mars, 1890.
—,‘‘Heterocera Exotica, new genus and species from the Dutch East
Indies (continued),”” by J. M. Heylaerts; Sguamura n. g.
NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHE WOCHENSCHRIFT (Berlin) for Mar. 2, 1890,
-contains an article on swarms of “‘ Butterflies in the South Atlantic Ocean
remote from the land,” off the Argentine coast, in February, 1887.
THE ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZOOLOGIE, vol. xlix, heft
3, contains ‘‘ Researches on the first embryological phenomena in the
eggs of Insects—I. The egg of Pieris brassica,”’ H. Henking, with three
plates.
Le NATURLISTE CANADIEN for February, 1890.—Continuation of the
notes on Hemiptera—Homoptera of Quebee (fams. Jassidz and Psyllidz);
-a new species of Erythroneura (£. mali) and one of Jdiocerus (I. Duzeei)
-are described.
Le NATURLISTE CANADIEN, March, 1890.—“‘ Hemiptera-Homoptera of
the Province of Quebec (continued),’’ fams, Psyllida and Aphid; in-
cludes the following new species: Psylla recticeps, Diraphia g-cornis, D.
sanguinea, Livia saltatrix, L. bifasciata.
96 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCEs II, 1889.—
Entomological Communications, Dr. H. H. Behr; genus Neophasia Behr
= Eucheira Westw., with three species, socia/is Westw., Ter/ooftii Behr,
menapia Feld.; Dryocampa Riversti n. sp., Cal. ‘
MEMOIRES DE LA SOCIETE DE PHYSIQUE ET D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE
DE GENEVE, xxx, No. 6.—New or little-known Locustida, A. Pictet; con-
tains many new genera and species, including the following from North
America, /diostatus n. g., I. californicus, figured.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Xiii, No. 329, 10 Mar. 1890.—‘‘ Butterflies’
wings and the Imaginal disk of the same,’’ and ‘‘Gland-system of the
Skin in Bombycide (silk-spinners), by E. Verson. No. 330, 17 Mar., ’go.
‘‘On the Embryology of Blatta germanica’’ by N. Cholodkovsky..
WE have lately received Vol. i, No. 1, of the Entomologist’s Record
and Journal of Variation, edited by J. W. Tutt. This fills a very impor-
tant gap in entomological literature, and is both interesting and useful
from a scientific standpoint. We wish it all success and a long life.
IN THE COMPTES-RENDUS DES SEANCES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLO-
GIQUE DE BELGIQUE for Feb. 1, 1890.—A Forel has a note on “A parasite
of Myrmecia forficata Fabr.’? The parasite is also a hymenopter, Au- —
charis myrmecie P. Cam., whose nymphs were found in chrysalids of the
. Myrmecia from South Australia.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, 4, February, 1890.—New His-
teridz, J. Schmidt; includes one North American species, Saprinus sul-
catulus, from California. Orthopterological communications, Dr. F.
Karsch; on Phaneroptera from Asia and Africa; two new genera are
formed, Ceratopompa and Tetraconcha.
From Pror. C. BERG we have received a copy of his ‘‘ Quadraginfa
Coleoptera Nova Argentino (from Ann. Univer. Buenos Aires, vi, 1889).”’
The forty new species from the Argentine Republic here described are
of the families Cerambycidz, Meloidz, Mordellidz, Cistelidze, ‘TTenebri-
onidz, Malacodermata and Buprestide.
MEMOIRS OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY AT HARVARD
COLLEGE, Vol. xvii, No. 1, is Mr. L. Cabot’s.—‘‘ The Immature State of
the Odonata, Part III.—Subfamily Cordulina,’’ with six plates. The
nymphs of twenty-four species of Cordudina and eleven species of Pantala
and 7yramea, are described and figured excellently.
WE have received from M. Ernest Olivier his excellent Catalogue of the
Coleoptera of the Department of the Allier, France, forming Part I of
Volume II, of ‘‘ Faune de 1|’Allier,”’ published at Moulins, 1890. Faunal
lists of restricted areas are always of value as supplying data for geo-
graphical distribution, and such is M. Olivier’s work, which fills 375 pages,
and is provided with a valuable index—table of genera.
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 97
ABHANDLUNGEN [DES] SENCKENBERGISCHEN NATURFORSCHENDEN
GerseELiscuart (Frankfurt a. M.), xvi, heft 1, ’90.—'* The Lepidopterous
Fauna of the Island of Porto Rico,’ H. B. Méschler, 1 plate; contains
numerous new genera and. new species. This is a very useful and im-
portant paper, as it gives a complete list of the species of the island, both
macro and micro, with all the references (pp. 290).
MEMORIE DELLA R. ACCADEMIA DELLE SCIENZE DELL’ ISTITUTO DI
BoLocGna, Serie iv, Tomo ix, 1888.—‘‘ On the Figure and Structure of the
‘Facets of the Cornea and on the Refractive Medium of the Compound
Eyes of the Muscidz,”’ G. V. Ciaccio, 1 plate. ‘‘ Anatomical Composi-
tion of the Nerves and their mode of termination in the muscles of the
Grasshopper (Oediopoda fasciata Siebold), V. Mazzoni, one plate. -
ICONES ORNITHOPTERORUM. —A ‘monograph of the Rhopalocerous °
genus Ornithoptera, or Bird-wing Butterflies by Robert H. F. Rippon;
Part 1. To be completed in twenty parts, with a map and nearly eighty
plates; Part 1 contains four plates, giving colored figures and the neura-
tion of O. urvilliana, hippolytus and cresus. The text is very exhaustive.
If the remaining parts are in the same style as the first, the above will be
a grand work. :
THE FossiIL BUTTERFLIES OF FLORISSANT, Samuel H. Scudder.—This
is an extract from the eighth annual report of the Director of the Depart-
ment of the Interior, 35 pp. 2 plates. The following new genera are de-
scribed: /upiteria, Lithopsyche, Nymphalites, Apanthesis, Prolibythea
and Stolopsyche. The new species are /Jupiteria charon, Lithopsyche
styx, Nymphalites obscurum, Apanthesis leuce, Prolibythea vagabunda
and Stolopsyche libytheoides.
THE YounG NATURALIST, January, 1890 (London).—The Origin and
Loss of the Wings of Insects, Linnaeus Greening. The Pterophorina
of Britain, J. W. Tutt. Same for February, 1890. The Pterophorina
of Britain (continued). Notes on the possible advantages of melanic
variations to Lepidoptera, Lord Walsingham. The Origin and Loss of
Wings of Insects, Linnaeus Greening. Curious Visitors at Sugar, G.
Pullen. Retarded Emergence, John E. Robson.
TRANSACTIONS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF Lonpon, Part I, 1890,
with six plates. On the phylogenetic significance of the wing-markings
in certain genera of the Nymphalidz, Frederick A. Dixey. Systematic
temperature experiments on some Lepidoptera in all their stages, Frederic
Merrifield. This paper and the accompanying plates are of great interest,
as they show one of the causes of variation in a species, and also teach an
important lesson to those who are too hasty in describing new species of
Lepidoptera.
ANNALEN DES K. K. NATURHISTORISCHEN Hormusevums (Wien), Bd.
iv, No. 4, 1889.—The Hymenopterous Group of the Evaniidz, mono-
graphically treated,”’ by A. Schletterer, 3d Abtheilung, with four plates;
6*
98 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
numerous new species are described from all parts of the world, including
five species of Gasteruption from North America, Bd. v, No. 1, 18go.
‘‘ [Contribution] to the knowledge of the Pemphredons,” by F. F. Kohl,
including, besides other new species, three from North America of the
genera Cemonus, Ammoplanus ? and Stigmus.
Hor# SOcietaTIs ENTOMOLOGIC# Rossic#, xxiii, 1890, contains
papers on Russian and Asiatic insects, including new species of Heterop-
tera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera; Revision of the copu-
latory armature of the males of the Chrysides, Gen. Radoszowski; On
the anatomy of Sesia apiformis and tipuliformis, E. Brandt; Anatomy of
Vermipsylla:-alacurt, |. Wagner; Revision of the European species of the
genus Phronia Winnertz, with the descriptions of two new genera, Macro-
brachius and Megophthalmidia, H. Driedzicki, etc.
BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA; Part lxxxii, Feb., 1890.—Arachnida-
Araneidea O. P. Cambridge, pp. 57—64, pl. 6; Coleoptera, vol. 2, pt. 1,
D. Sharp, pp. 305—312, vol. 3, pt. 1, C. O. Waterhouse, pl. 9, vol. 6, pt.
1, supplement, M. Jacoby, pp. 169—176. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, vol. 1,
H. Druce, pp. 369—384, pl. 32. Diptera, vol. 2, F. M. van der Wulp, pp.
57—88; Part Ixxxiv, Arachnida-Acaridea, Otto Stoll, pp. 17—24, pls. 12—
14.. Coleoptera, vol. 2, pt. 1, D. Sharp, pp. 313—336, vol. 7, H. S. Gor-
ham, pp. 129—144, pl. 7. Hymenoptera, vol. 2, P. Cameron, pp. 65—8o,
pl. 5. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, vol. 1, H. Druce, pp. 385—392. Rhyn-
chota-Heteroptera, W. L. Distant, pp. 329336. Diptera, vol. 2, F. M.
van der Wulp, pp. 85—112.
BERLINER ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT, xxxiii, 2 heft—The Hy-
menopterous genera Stenophasmus Sm., Monomachus Westw., Pelecinus
Latr. and Megalyra Westw., monographically treated,’’ A. Schletterer.
‘“‘ Contribution to the knowledge of the Ascalaphidze of Madagascar,’’ Dr. .
F. Karsch;* Balanopteryx, Ameridops n. g. ‘‘On a new East-African
genus of Libellulide, separated tor /dionyx luctifera Selys,’* Dr. F.
Karsch, Schizonya, also Dicranopyga, n. g.”’ ‘‘ New Histeridz from
Paraguay,” J. Schmidt; Hesperodromus, Discoscelis, Colonides, Termi-
toxenus,n.g. ‘‘ Contributions to the knowledge of the species and genera
of Libellulina,’’* Dr. F. Karsch; Paltothemis, Potamarcha, Corduliops,
Helothemis, Malamarptis, Oligoclada, Micromacromia, Allorhizucha
n.g. ‘Three new Tenebrionidz from Tripoli,”’* G. Quedenfeldt; Pa-
chylodera n. g.
LES INSECTES VESICANTS.—H. Beauregard, Paris, 1890. A large octavo
volume of nearly 600 pages with many illustrations in the text and large
lithographic plates of anatomical and microscopical details. It is divided
into four parts, the first is anatomical, second the physiology and pharma-
cology, with special researches on the seat of the vesicating property, the
third is devoted.to classification, the fourth a catalogue of all species de-
* Contains new species other than North American.
1890. ] _- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 99
scribed to date. A new classification is adopted, based on the habits of
the secondary larva, which does not differ materially from that already in
vogue, based on the characters of the insects themselves. Some of our .
- genera were unknown to the author, and a good number fairly well mis-
understood. While the work will be useful for reference as a compen-
dium it will hardly become a standard in classification.—G. H. H. —
VERHANDLUNGEN DER K. K. ZOOLOGISCH-BOTANISCH GESELLSCHAFT
tN Wien, Bd. xxxix, Heft 3.—‘‘ Contributions to the knowledge of the
chilopods,”’ B. Schaufler, with one plate and four zincographs, treating of
the male and female genital organs. ‘‘ Arachnidz Transcaspice,’’ E.
Simon, describing: new species and three new genera, Aéfu/us (fam. At-
tidze), Scylax (fam. Drasside) and Phyzioschema (fam. Avicularidz),
_ Heft 4 (same Band). ‘‘ Determination-table of the Trichopterygide of
the European faunal district,’’ by C. Flach, with five plates and one zinco-
graph; the table is arranged both for genera and species, and includes six
new species. “Fourth Contribution to the Dipterous Fauna of Tyrol,”
E. Pokorny, including new species of various genera of the families Bibi-
onidz, Anthomyzinz and Helomyzinz, and establishing two new genera,
Chiastocheta (fam. Anthomyzinz), type Aricia troliii Ztt., and Steringo-
myia (fam. Sarcophaginz), type S. sty/ifera n. sp.
.
NortH AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA. REVISED CHECK-LIST OF THE N.
AMERICAN Noctuip& by A. Radcliffe Grote, A. M., Part I. Thyatirine—
Noctuinz. Bremen, 1890. Printed by Homeyer & Meyer, Rutenhof, pp.
52. Preface and Index.—This list, Mr. Grote states, is to supersede or
take the place of the list of 1875-76, and like the latter the new list simply
enumerates the species and proposes a number of new generic terms
without description. ‘So far as I am concerned it closes my thirty years’
work in the North American Owlet.moths and represents my present
comprehension of the natural ,classification of the family.’”’** Mr. Grote
separates the usual small aggregation as Thyatirinze, and places all the
rest of the genera into the Noctuinz, dividing them tribally. The Bom-
bycoidi head the list with three genera. In this tribe and in the preceding
subfamily species described by Dr. Strecker, Mr. Edwards and myself,
éven as far back as 1876; have been omitted.
_ The Apatelini contain fourteen genera. The Agrotini contain eleven;
about fifty species of Agrofis described by myself are omitted. In sug-
gesting that the species of Agrofis need re-arrangement, a series of char-
acters is given with a show of originality, although they had been used by
European authors thirty years ago. Mr. Grote is comfortably unaware
that over one hundred species of what he calls Agvofis are structurally
absolutely identical with the two species which he separates as Carneades.
The Dicopini follow, with four genera.
The Hadenini contain forty-four genera, and in this tribe are contained
* See Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xxi, 143, 1887, for almost identical language.
100 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. —_ [ June,
the typical Owlets. The species and genera referable here, described by
me in 1887 are omitted, and my Revisions of Onxcocnemis, Oligia and
. Pseudanarta, are apparently unknown to the author.
The Arzamini have two genera, the Nonagriini eight, the Scolocampini
six, and Aolophana has a little tribe all by itself. Six genera constitute
the Caradrini, while the Orthosiini contain thirty-three genera, among
them Zeniocampa, Glea and Orthosia. As usual, my genera and species
are omitted, even those described in 1887. My recent Revision of Tzenio-
campinz Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1889, pp. 455-496, places the species and
genera into a more natural grouping.
The Calocampini have three genera, C/eophana and Cucullia each form
a tribe, the Eutelini have three genera, the Anomiini five, while Lzfopro-
sopus again forms a singular tribe.
The Plusiini have six, the Calpini four, and the Stiriini eight genera.
In the Heliothini Mr. Grote proposes a few more generic names, and
adds Lepipolys, Anarta, Cirrhophanus and Annaphila to the tribe.
The Tarachini contain three genera, and Cerathosia is placed here and
elevated to the tribal rank. Mr. Grote again goes over my supposed
blunders and does not seem to know my paper in which the venation is
figured. I have explained how the obliteration of vein 5 of secondaries
by the Canatla balsam caused my mistake. Mr. Grote affects to discredit
this explanation, which all, who have ever mounted bleached wings, can
easily substantiate. Knowing the danger as I did, I should have been
more careful; but, as 1t is the only mistake of mine Mr. Grote ever dis-
covered, he will no doubt continue to harp on it. The Eustrotiinze con-
tain all the remaining genera save AHyb/ea, which forms a tribe. The
remainder of the pamphlet is taken up with generalities and criticisms,
in which Messrs. Riley, Hulst and myself fare ill. In his characterization
of the Noctuidze Mr. Grote says’: “the front pair [of tibiz] rarely with
an epiphysis.’’ I know of no species in which this organ is wanting. It
is scarcely worth while noticing the vagaries of these ten pages, winding
up with “ But I have no longer time to indulge in philosophy or sentiment.
Already I hear the roaring of the lions from those heights where Dr. C.
V. Riley and Professor J. B. Smith browse together upon Government
pastures” Y!
This is pathetic, undoubtedly, and characterizes the list, which is fully
five years behind the time, and is as remarkable for what it lacks as for
what it contains.—JoHN B. SMITH.
s
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for May was mailed May 3, 1890.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
- AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VoL. ~ SEPTEMBER, 1890. No. 7.
CONTENTS:
Slosson—Winter collecting in Florida.. 1o1 | Bunker—Some experiences in Larve -
P. P. C.—Elementary Entomology....... Io2 | RReaeaiipsetaerttarss: ecacpaccdescens ses cescss 108
Dyar—Two species of Lepidoptera new Notes and News 110
RANE A TG eee oo oan tastes 2 0005-0 secceee 105 | Entomological Literature........s.....00-+++ 112
Fox—Description of three new species Doings OF SOCTCHES .6.ci..5é.45 cecdeestactesbece. 115
of Hymenoptera-.-........0. pens See 106 !
WINTER COLLECTING IN FLORIDA.
BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON.
(Continued from p. 83, vol. i.)
To attract moths at night we used a large lamp with Rochester
burner, giving a very brilliant light. The first time we tried it
very few insects came, though the night seemed favorable, warm,
n dark and still. After waiting an hour or two, with little gain, we
_ extinguished the lamp preparatory to going indoors, when, at
once, moths began flying into the dimly-lighted windows and
resting there: This occurred again and again, until we felt as-
. sured that our brilliant light frightened away rather than tempted
_ the moths of Punta Gorda. It was not until some weeks after
ie our discovery of this fact that we read in ENroMoLocicaL News
_ for February of Mr. Doherty’s letter as to his collecting in the
_ Naga Hills. In this you will remember he expresses the opinion
that “light used in out-of-the-way places repels rather than at-
tracts.’’ I frequently spent an evening in my room with a bright
gas-light and a large kerosene lamp burning directly in front of
the open window. No insects came, but when I had turned out
the gas and lowered the flame of my cae moths would soon
begin to fly in.
.
‘
102 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
At sugar, although the number of moths taken was large, the
variety was very small. In a catch of fifty or sixty moths there
would often be but two or three species. zbolina stylobata was
always at these sugar stations in large numbers, also Agrofés in-
“civis, A. malefida and various species of Homoptera, particularly
HT, edusina and 7. benesignata.
The colony of West Indian insects, of which Mr. Schwartz and
others have written, is well represented at Punta Gorda. I found
one night resting near a lighted window a beautiful specimen of
the ‘‘Spanish moth,’’ Fathisanotia timais.Cram. It bore the
bloom of extreme youth, and could not have emerged from the
pupa many hours before. It is an exquisite creature, with its
fore wings of carmine and orange and secondaries of leaden black.
I took also one specimen of a Sphingid described and figured
by Grote in his ‘‘ Notes on Cuban Sphingide (Proc. Ent. Soc.
Phil. vol. v),’’ Hemeroplanes pseudothyreus. 1 do not recall its
record from Florida previous to my capture, but it should have
its place in our lists. It is a curious insect, much like 7hyreus in
general appearance, but with a peculiar discal mark, like a white
arrow-head, with a small white dash above it. Many fine fresh
specimens of the large geomeéter Oxydia vesuliata Cram. flew to
the lighted windows at night. They are exceedingly variable,
some very dark purple-brown, some uniformly light grayish drab,
and others with median space of pale ochre, but all with the dis-
tinctive large, black, diffuse patch on. secondaries, near outer
margin. I found also Urapteryx floridata Gr.
Doubtless many of my unidentified moths will prove to be
West Indian forms. Although I found so many interesting spe-
cies in Florida this Winter, yet insects were much less plentiful
than in ordinary seasons. The long continued drought, with one
or two severe freezes, interfered seriously with plant and insect
life. In a dozen years I have never seen a Winter where butter-
flies were so scarce; every one spoke of this, and even the
ordinary tourist noticed it.
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Third Paper—REGIONS AND APPENDAGES OF INSECTS.
THE HEAD.
As stated in the first paper of this series,* the body of a per-
* ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, i, pp. 702—71. May, 1890.
.
7
bo
“)
I ee
re
. 1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 103
fect insect is divided into three regions,—the head, the thorax
and the abdomen.
_ This division into regions is not to be confounded with the di-
vision into segments; each region consists of a number of seg-
ments. In the case of those insects undergoing a complete
transformation (butterflies, bees, beetles, etc.), it is only the
imago whose body shows clearly this division into three regions.
On the other hand, the larve of such insects as dragonflies and
grasshoppers, whose transformation is incomplete, show a very
marked division into three regions, even when just hatched from
the egg. The tri-regional division of the body may be more or
less clearly perceived in those insects referred to in the first paper
as passing through two states,—fish moths and spring tails.
Many of the segments of an insects body bear paired, jointed
appendages, one pair toa segment. These appendages may be
antenne (‘‘feelers’’), jaws, legs, claspers, etc. The wings, al-
though often spoken of as appendages, do not anatomically cor-
respond, or are not homologous* to the appendages just referred to.
_ The form, proportion, shape and relative development of the
different parts of the trunk and appendages of insects vary very
greatly. Only the more general, ‘typical arrangement of these
parts will be described in these papers treating of insects in gen-
eral. The modifications must be left to subsequent papers on the
separate orders. In these general papers reference is usually
made to the imago, when describing anatomical parts.
THE HEap of the imago is usually distinct from the rest of the
body. The segments of which it is composed are not easily dis-
tinguishable, owing to the sutures being more or less obliterated,
and one might be tempted to say at first sight, that it consisted
of but one segment. Comparative study, however, has shown
that it is composed, not of one, but of several segments. The
exact number is perhaps four, although this is not entirely certain.
Prof. Comstock has adopted a convenient classification of the
parts of the head, which we cannot do better than follow here.
He divides the parts of the head into fixed parts and movable
parts. ;
The fixed parts are the compound eyes, the simple eyes, the
occiput, the epicranium, the clypeus, and the gua.
*In the technical language of Comparative Biology, homologous refers to anatomical
similarity, analogous to physiological similarity.
104 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
The movable parts are the anfenne and the mouth parts.
The compound eyes (fig. 1, @) are quite conspicuous, and us-
ually are easily seen and recognized as eyes. They are two in
number, and are placed one on each side of the head. The sur-
face of each compound eye is made up) of a large number of
hexagonal facets, fitting against each other like the cells of a
honey-comb. Each facet is the cornea of a distinct simple eye.
The number of facets in the compound eyes of different insects
varies from 50 to 30,000 (Comstock). Sometimes the facets are
quadrangular (Packard).
The simple eyes (fig. 1, e) are small and not very tnapioueene
They are placed on the top (dorsal* surface) of the head, between
the compound eyes. Ordinarily there are
three-simple eyes, but their number varies
from one to four; they are usually wanting
in beetles. Compound eyes are clusters
of simple eyes. Larvze have only simple
eyes, situated on the sides of the head.
During growth they ‘“‘ increase in number,
and finally coalesce to form the compound
eye, or compound cornea, the surface of
Fig. 1, Front view of the i ‘ :
Bg of a Wasp: which is very convex and protuberant in
a,a,the compound eyes; the predaceous insects, or those requiring
2, theclypeus;¢,the labrum; 4 extended field of vision (Packard’s
d, the mandibles; e, three
ocelli, or simple eyes; 4% Guide).’’ Usually the compound eyes are
= coke peda Aire. referred to as simply ‘the eyes,” while
upon the vertex, ff upon the simple eyes are termed oce// (singular
hie sous, ocellus) or stemmata (sing. stemma).
The occiput is the rear or base of the head, and articulates
with the first segment of the thorax.
The epicranium (fig. 1) is in front of the occiput, and, in gen-
eral, forms the top or dorsal portion of the head, but it very often
forms part of the sides of the head and even of the under (ven-
tral) surface. On account of its extent, names have been given
to different parts of the epicranium.* The vertex is its topmost
(most dorsal) part, the fron¢ or frons is its most anterior part, the
gen@, or cheeks, its sides, or lateral parts. The ocelli are usually —
situated on the vertex.
* When an insect is standing in natural position, its upper surface is dorsal, its lower
surface ventrad,
18go. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 105
The normal position of the clypeus (fig. 1, 6) is anterior to the
epicranium. Typically, it is composed of two sclerites, the Aznd-,
post-, or supra-clypeus, and the fore-, ante-, or infra-clypeus.
The term efistoma is equivalent to clypeus. In some insects the
equivalent of the clypeus is composed of two pieces, an upper
called nasus, and a lower or rhinarium ; again the rhinarium may
be absent. To the lower or anterior border of the clypeus is
attached the labrum, or upper lip.
The gula is in front of, or below the occiput, and is confined to
the under or ventral surface of the head. To its anterior border
is attached the labium, or lower lip.
The sutures between the fixed parts of the head may be want-
ing, and the shape and extent of the parts vary greatly. In many
insects the fixed parts, excepting the eyes and ocelli, are more
or less covered with hair, so that the shape of the parts cannot
be seen until the hair is removed. PC.
Two Species of Lepidoptera new to our Lists.
. BY HARRISON G. DYAR.
While at Lake Worth, Florida, last Winter I captured speci-
mens of two species not in our lists. They are the following:
Callidryas statira Cram.—The % is of the color of C. eudule,
but the border of raised scales extends more than half way across
the wing, and there is a large spot of these scales in the end of
the cell. The inner edge of this border is nearly straight, and it
is very pale yellow, almost white. On the hind wings the border
is narrower, more irregular, and ends before the anal angle.
Below much as in C. exdule % , but with only faint traces of any
spots.
Taken with Caliidryas eubule and C. agarithe, but less common.
January.
Composia fidelissima Herrich-Schaffer.—% 9. Head black,
with two white spots. Collar and thorax black, with small white
spots. Abdomen black, with a very strong blue reflection and a
double row of small white spots on the last segments in the %-
Below neatly banded with white; wings black, a strong blue re-
flection at the base and end of the cell of primaries and on basal
two-thirds of secondaries. On costa of primaries at base are
106 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
three subquadrate, crimson spots, more or less confluent. In the
cell are two white spots, the outer continued on to the costa, but
interrupted by the vein. A marginal and a transverse row of
white spots, the latter from costa beyond cell to middle of outer
margin composed of five spots the last small. The marginal row
starts on costa before apex and has four intervenular spots, each
nearer the outer margin than the last, and two more spots below,
the last. above the submedian vein, the one before it large and
round. A small spot at base of the wing above submedian vein.
The secondaries have a marginal row of nine white spots, the
first at the apex, the fourth and the ninth at basal angle, small.
Below as above, but the blue reflection on primaries is more ex-
tensive. Legs marked and banded with white.
This Zygzenid was taken abundantly towards evening flying
with Syntomeida epilais Walk., than which it was much more
abundant.
The flora of the strip of land between Lake Worth and the
ocean, as well as that between Indian River and the ocean par-
takes of a decidedly subtropical character, and many Cuban spe-
cies find their: homes here, of which the occurrence of the above-
_ mentioned species is an example.
ray
UV
DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SPECIES OF
HYMENOPTERA.
BY WILLIAM J. FOX.
Hoplisus foveolata n. sp.
?.—Black, shining; head sparsely punctured, hardly as wide
as the thorax; clypeus, labrum, basal half of mandibles, scape, first
six joints of flagellum, thorax, spots on posterior tarsal joints
near apex, and basal segment of abdomen, except ring at apical
margin, dark reddish brown; clypeus covered with silvery pu-
bescence in certain lights, with long golden hairs; labrum with
a fringe of golden hairs on anterior margin; faee with a distinct
furrow extending from the lower ocellus to the middle of the
face; metathorax feebly punctate, covered with pale brownish
pubescence, a deep longitudinal furrow extending from base to
apex, interrupted at tip of enclosed triangular space by a deep
fovea, the oblique lateral furrows enclosing the triangular space
foveolate; wings fuliginous-brown, iridescent; second recurrent
1890.] _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 107
nervure received by the second submarginal cell before its apex;
line on anterior orbits, apical margin of scutellum, tarsi, and ring
on apical margin of basal. segment, yellowish; remaining seg-
ments of abdomen black. Length .55-.60 inch.
Two specimens, Florida. Collected by Charles W. Johnson,
of the Wagner Institution, Philadelphia.
. This species resembles somewhat AH. Smithii Cress., from IIli-
‘nois, but the wings are darker, the second recurrent nervure is
not confluent with the second transverse cubital nervure and the
basal segment with the largest portion of it brownish.
Philanthus eurynome n. sp. 3
?.—Black, shining, deeply, but not closely punctured; vertex,
cheeks, thorax on sides and beneath covered with pale pubes-
cence; spot on anterior part of raised space between antenne,
sides of face, narrowed to emargination of the eyes; mandibles,
except tip, scape, elongate spot beneath anterior wings, tegulz,
_ postscutellum, large lateral spots on second segment, elongate
spots on third and fourth, the latter with two elongate marks on
apical margin yellow; first three joints of flagellum entirely and
the remaining joints beneath, raised space between antennz ba-
sally, broad band on occiput extending down to the centre of
the cheeks, line on collar, scutellum; ‘first segment, except ex-
treme base, above and beneath, second segment above and apical
margins of all the segments dark-reddish brown; the first dorsal
segment with a deep, black, transverse furrow before its apical
margin, the second having a black line before its apical margin;
metathorax with a deep furrow extending from base to centre,
where it is interrupted, the furrow continuing from a deep fovea
and extending almost to the apex; wings yellowish hyaline, with
darker apical margins, slightly iridescent, nervures and stigma
yellowish brown, first recurrent nervure received by the second
submarginal cell at the middle, the second received by the third
submarginal cell a little beyond the base; legs brownish, a spot in
front and on tips of anterior femora, base of anterior tibiae and
medial tibiz in front and at base yellow. Length .57 inch.
One specimen. Collected by Mr. C. W. Johnson, in Florida.
Ceelioxys dolichos n. sp.
@.—Black, shining; head and thorax sparsely punctured;
sides of the face, cheeks, thorax beneath, metathorax, legs, basal
108 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
and apical margins of -first segment and apical margin of the
second, third and fourth segments with pale pubescence; tegulze
impunctured; prothorax produced into a tooth laterally; scutellum
produced out over the metathorax in a sharp angle, the lateral
teeth long, not acute, the disc of scutellum smooth, shining, im-
punctured; basal third of wings hyaline, the remaining two-thirds
fuscous, slightly iridescent; first recurrent nervure received by
the second submarginal cell beyond its base, the second recur-
rent nervure received by it before its apex; spines of the tibize
and the tarsi slightly brownish; abdomen sparsely punctured,
more closely so on the sides, basal and apical margins of the seg-
ments, basal segment concave in front, a distinct carina, beginning
at the base of the second dorsal segment and extending to apex, the
carina very strongly marked on apical half of last segment, the latter
excavated on each side of the carina, compressed before its apex,
beneath also carinated, the carina extending out into a point,
which is plainly seen from above, the segments beneath with a
well marked impunctured apical margin. Length .55 inch.
One specimen, Collected by Charles W. Johnson, in Florida.
This species can at once be distinguished by the carina on the
dorsal segments of abdomen.
D
Y
SOME EXPERIENCES IN LARVA REARING.
BY ROBERT BUNKER.
If one wishes to gain a knowledge of the life history of a spe-
cies, it is absolutely necessary to begin with the egg and follow
it carefully through the different stages to the imago; and not
only one season should be devoted to it, but the same species
should be reared several years in succession in order to learn all
the varieties of color ornamentation and deviations from the typical
form. Such a course would be to the student or beginner like
the turning of the kaleidoscope, every turn would bring to view
some new variety, some new form, some new feature he had not
seen before; and occasionally a veritable monstrosity would come
to the front and startle him by its unique appearance. There are
other advantages to be gained by rearing moths and butterflies
from eggs, you get rid of that bane of the collector—the insidious
parasite. One also stands a far better chance of getting rare spe-
ae a ee i ere
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 109
cies, and we may add more perfect ones than by hunting up the
imagos. I began rearing moths from eggs many years ago, but.
confined myself to eggs of foreign silk moths which I could ob-
tain in no other way. Fortunately, a few years ago I found a
female Smerinthus modestus on the Lombardy Poplar, she laid
quite a number of eggs, from which I reared moths and wrote a
description of their life history, which was published in the
** Canadian Entomologist’’ at the time, so it is not necessary to
re-write it now, but will mention one characteristic I have not
noticed in any other species. While feeding, most larva clasp
the leaf with their prolegs and manipulate with the mouth and
true legs, the body being on a line with the edge of the leaf, but
this species, while feeding, rests with its body stretched out at
right angles to the edge of the leaf, and by reaching over and
turning the head so as to face the edge of the leaf, feeds without
inconvenience and as the leaf is eaten away moves up and down
laterally. I was curious to know what the result would be when
the leaf was eaten, so that there was no standing room, but the
difficulty was overcome by abandoning the leaf when half eaten
for a fresh one.
A larva that has been attacked by pararsites may sometimes
be resuscitated. On one occasion I found a half grown larva of
Thyreus Abboti on the grape vine, and on the sides of the thorax
were half a score or more of eggs; they had hatched out and the
young worms had entered the body of their victim, but as the
shells of the eggs had been recently broken I thought I would
try the effect of chloroform upon the larva, so procuring a feather
I swabed the parts thoroughly. Now, it is well known that this
species and Detdamia inscripta are very sensitive to the touch,
and will wriggle around ina vicious manner if touched with a straw
or the tip of the finger, but when I applied the chloroform its
contortions were violent, a regular cyclone; so violent were its
movements that it would throw itself up clear from the earth at the
bottom of the cage, and I began to fear the cage itself was in
danger of being wrecked. It finally subsided and appeared to
be dead. Two hours later, on looking into the cage, I found my
sick patient had rallied and was crawling slowly about. I gave
it another big dose, and after placing some fresh grape leaves in
the cage, left it for the night. The next morning, to my surprise,
it had fully recovered, and was apparently as well as ever, and
110 _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
was partaking of the aliment set before it in a very satisfactory
manner. After the harsh treatment it had received it began to
feed regularly, and in two weeks got its growth, buried itself,
and came out a perfect moth the following June.
(To be continued.)
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
: OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception. ;
In accordance with the notice on second page of cover, no numbers of
ENTOMOLOGICAL News were published in July and August, as every one
is interested in collecting, and it is also the time when people take their
vacation, the editior and advisory committee included. This is inserted
for those who were looking for the News during the last two months.
A SPECIMEN of Papilio palamedes was captured in Philadelphia this
Summer, it was bright and fresh. Virginia is the northermost pee ene
in the catalogues.
A Swaro of butterflies halted near Placerville, Cal., the other day, and
for a time ‘‘they were so thick about the springs and moist places that
teamsters couldn’t see their leaders.”
HEMIPTEROLOGISTS will be interested to know that I took many speci-
mens of both sexes of the winged form of Metrobates hesperius Uhl. on
the Tennessee River at Knoxville, Tenn., June 15th. Hitherto, I believe,
the winged form of this species has been found only in the West Indies.
Prof. H. E. SuMMERs.
Mr. W. F. Kirsy, author of “A Synonymic Catalogue of Diurnal
Lepidoptera,” will publish, shortly with Messrs. Gurney & Jackson, “A
Synonymic Catalogue of Neuroptera Odonata,’’ or Dragonflies. He hopes
to bring out afterwards the first volume of his ‘“‘ Catalogue of Lepidoptera-
Heterocera,’’ a work which has engaged his attention for nearly twenty
years.
As TO FLiges.—So you want to know where the flies come from, do you,
JLucullus? Well, the cyclone makes the house fly, the blacksmith makes
the fire fly, the carpenter makes the saw fly, the driver makes the horse
fly, the grocer makes the sand fly, the boarder makes the butter fly, and
if that is not enough for you you will have to pursue your future studies
in entomology alone.
SS a a
—— eee
:
;
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. III
Pror. ANGELO HEILPRIN found two species of butterflies buried in the
snow on the glacier he discovered on the volcano of Ixtaccihuatl in Mexico.
There was a snow storm the previous night and the butterflies were evi-
dently blown up to this height (15,500 feet). The species were Colias
c@sonia and Terias sp. The specimen of Zerias was in too bad a con-
dition to identify.
Mr. Puicip LAuRENT found Pamphila panoguin fresh and bright on June
29th, at Anglesea, N. J. He succeeded in getting the eggs. but the larve
would not feed on ordinary grass. There is another brood on the Atlantic
coast which appears about August 22d, having been found at this time at
Cape May, N. J., by Dr. Skinner. The food-plant is supposed to be marsh
- grass which grows in the salt meadows.
THE FIELD MEETING AT JAMESBURG, N. J.—A field meeting of the en-
tomological societies of Brooklyn, Newark and Philadelphia, was held on
July 4th at Jamesburg, N. J. The societies represented were the Feldman
Collecting Club, American Entomological Society and Entomological Sec-
tion of the Academy of Natural Sciences from Philadelphia, and the En-
tomological Societies of Brooklyn and Newark. Jamesburg is situated in
the Cranberry bog region of New Jersey, and is a very interesting locality
entomologically. The headquarters of the meet was a very pretty grove,
from which the members spread out in various directions in search of bugs.
The object of the meeting was the fostering of scientific and social inter-
course among the entomologists of the three cities. The Feldman Col-
lecting Club was represented by Messrs. J. H. B. Bland (President),
Wenzel, Dr. Castle, Laurent, E. Wenzel, Boerner, Hoyer, Schmitz and
Tresher, and the American Entomological Society and Entomological
Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences by Mr. 1. C. Martindale, Dr.
G. H. Horn and Dr. H. Skinner; Brooklyn, by Messrs. Meeske, Leng,
Davis, Dietz, Harbeck, Merkel, Beyer, Smith and Banks; -Newark, by
Messrs. Machesney, Stortz, Angelman, Loeffler, Hess, Leib and Crane.
After collecting for a couple of hours a luncheon was served in the grove
and a photograph taken of the party. A meeting was then called to or-
ganize permanently. Dr. George H. Horn, President of the American
_ Entomological Society and Professor of Entomology in the University of
Pennsylvania, was chosen chairman. The chair nominated the following
committee to confer with their respective societies in regard to the advisa-
bility of holding an annual meet and to select the time and place. Mr.
H. W. Wenzel, of the Feldman Collecting Club; Professor J. B. Smith,
State Entomologist of New Jersey and Professor of Natural History in
Rutgers College, for the Brooklyn Society; Mr. Machesney, of Newark,
and Dr. Henry Skinner, Curator of the American Entomological Society
of Philadelphia. Altogether, a very pleasant day was spent and the first
meeting was a grand success. :
112 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be limited to twelve (12) for each sending ; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of
transportation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological
Society; 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may
be announced accordingly. Such identifications as can be given will be published, accord-
ing to number, in the issues of the News. Address packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws,
Academy Natural Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa. °.
W. M. HiLi_.—1., Sphenophorus 13-punctatus; 2, Hister interruptus; 3,
Elater rubricollis; 4, Gastrophysa cyanea; 5, Chrysopila thoracica; 6,
Languria mozardi; 7, Megilla maculata; 8, Chlenius estivus; 9, Lebia
grandis, 10, 11, Chauliangnathus marginatus; 12, Chalenius tormentosus.
W. LoEWENSTEIN, Jr.—1, Passalus cornutus; 2, Necrophorus ameri-
canus,; 3, Calosoma Willcoxi; 4, Nyctobates pennsylvanicus; 5, Megalo-
dacne fasciata; 6, Tenebrio tenebrioides; 7, Cucujus clavipes; 8, Catogenus -
rufus; 9, Chalenius solitarius; 10, Harpalus caliginosus; 11, Diplochila
major; 12, Dicelus elongatus.
Entomological Literature.
BULLETIN FROM THE LABRATORIES OF NATURAL HISTORY OF THE
STATE UNIVERSITY OF Iowa contains: A Monograph of the Pselaphidze
of North America, by E. Brendel, M.D., and H. F. Wickham, vol. i, Nos.
3 and 4, June, 1890; 88 pages and 4 plates, 77 figs. Such works as these
are very important, and greatly facilitate study. The authors say: “In
preparing this monograph we hope to aid students of this large and inter-
esting family, by sufficiently minute descriptions and synoptical tables, to
recognize any species known to the fauna of the United States and British
America, and to see the affinities of American species to the members of
this family in other lands.’’
CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD A MONOGRAPH OF THE NOCTUID OF TEM-
PERATE NorTH AMERICA.—Revision of some Tzeniocampid Genera by
John B. Smith. From Proc. U. S. National Museum vol. xii, pp. 455-496.
A comparative table of genera is given, and the genera and species de-
scribed. Two plates and two figs. are given, showing the genital structure
of the TH@NIOCAMPIN2.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BosTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HIsToRY, vol.
xxiv, p. 482. The Life-history of Drepana arcuata, with remarks on cer-
tain structural featurés of the larva and on the supposed dimorphism of
Drepana arcuata and Dryopteris rosea by Alpheus S. Packard.
BULLETIN AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF NEBRASKA, vol.
iii, art. 2. Insects Injurious to Young Trees on Tree Claims, by Lawrence
Bruner, pp. 141. This essay is largely illustrated, and gives a history of
the more important insects injurious to trees.
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 113
TRANSACTIONS KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, vol. xiii, pt. 1, 1889, p.
15. Note on the Oviposition of a Wood Borer ( Tragidion Julvipenne) by
Prof. E. A. Popenoe, p. 34. Experiments for the Artificial Dissemination
of a Contagious Disease among Chinch-bugs, by Prof. F. H. Snow. Some
Notes on the MALLopHaGa by Vernon L. Kellogg.
PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
or GLasGow, vol. ii, pt. 2. Parthenogenesis in HYMENOPTERA by P.
Cameron. A Contribution towards a Neuropterous Fauna of Ireland by
James J. F. X. King.
MARYLAND ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 1890, pp. 73-88. Observations of
North American Capsip#, with descriptions of new species, by P. R.
Uhler. Zctopiocerus, new genus; £. anthracinus, n. sp.; Teleorhinus,
new genus; 7. cyaneus, N. Sp.; Closterocoris, new genus; C. ornata, n.
sp.; Coguillettia, new genus; C. insignis, n. sp.; Xenetus regalts, n. sp.;
X. scutellatus, n. sp.; Rhinocaspis, new genus; R. Van Duzeii, n. sp.;
Mimoceps, new genus; MW. insignis, n. sp.; M. gracilis, n. sp.; Macroty-
lus regalis, n. sp.; M. tristis, n. sp.; M. vestitus, n. sp.
IcONES ORNITHOPTERORUM.—A Monograph of the Rhopalocerous
Genus Ornithoptera, pt. 2. This contains figures, descriptions, etc., of O.
vichmondia, O. Plateni and Brookeana. We regret to see this subgenus
cut up into subgenera. When in time we have a genus for every species
we can conveniently drop generic names.
Tue ENTOMOLOGIST, London, July, 1890.—COoLEOPTERA Collected by
Mr. Pratt on the Upper Yang-Tsze, and on the borders of Tibet, by H.
W. Bates. Descriptions of new species of PHyTOPHAGOUS COLEOPTERA
received from Chang-Yang, China, by Martin Jacoby. Contributiozis to
the Chemistry of Insect Colors, by F. H. Perry Coste. Two days’ col-
lecting in Normandy, by John Henry Leech. Contributions to the Ento-
mology of the Portsmouth District, by W. T. Pearce. A successful Moth-
trap, by W. M. Christy. Entomological Notes, Captures, etc. Doings
of Societies. .
BULLETIN OF THE OHIO acu LTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, vol. i,
No. 1, 1889.—Preparatory Stages of the 20-spotted Lady bird. Studies in
Pond Life. rst, On the Life-history of Arzama obliguata; 2d, On the
Life-history of Chauliodes rastricornis; 3d; On the Life-history of Zistro-
notus latiusculus; 4th, On the Feeding-habits of Zaitha fluminea,; 5th,
On the Feeding-habits of Notonecta undulata; 6th, On Aquatic Leaf beetle
(Donacia subtilis); 7th, An Aquatic Lady-bird (Hippodamia 13-punctata);
8th, On the Eggs of the Giant Water Bugs (Belostoma americanum and
Benacus griseus). A Partial Bibliography of Insects Affecting Clover, by
Clarence M. Weed. =
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SocIETY oF LONDON, pt. 4, 1889.—
On new Indian Leprporprera, chiefly HETEROCERA, by Col. C. Swinhoe.
On the LeprpopTera of Japan and Corea.—Part 3, HETEROCERA, Sect.
2, Noctues and Deltoides, by J. H. Leech.
114 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
TRANSACTIONS, PROCEEDINGS AND REPORT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY
OF SouTH AUSTRALIA, vol. xii, for 1888-89. Description of a new genus
and species (Hectoria pontoni) of Locustide, by J. G. O. Tepper. Further
Notes on Australian COLEOPTERA, with descriptions of New Species, by
Rev. T. Blackburn.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Vol. xvi, 10, May, 1890.—Studies on
Ichneumonidez,* by Dr. Kriechbaumer; /schnogaster n. gen.
NATURALISTE CANADIEN, May, 1890.—HEMIPTERA-HOMOPTERA of
Quebec; Fam. Tettigonidz, with 1 plate and Additions and Corrections;
Deltocephalus superbus, D. chlamidatus, Thyphlocyba unica n. sp.
NATURALISTE CANADIEN, June, 1890, gives a list of insects from the
Madeleine Isles, including the following new species: Avax maritimus
(no description), /chneumon magdalensis, Glypta tricincta, Eubadizon
bastlare.
CompTES-RENDUS DES SEANCES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE
BELGIQUE, April 5, 1890.—Ethiopian Rhynchota,* by W. L. Distant.
Sandehana n. gen.
ComPTE RENDU, SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, June 7, 1890.
—Aenictus-Typhlatta, discovered by M. Wroughton, New Genera of
Formicide,* by A. Forel. New genera: Huberia (type striata Smith),
Triglyphothrix (type T. Walshi n. sp.), Trigonogaster (type T. recurvi-
spinosus n. sp.), Emeryia (type £. Wroughtonii n. sp.), Ophthalmopone
{type O. Berthoudi n. sp.). The new species are from India and South
Africa.
SPECIES DES HYMENOPTERES D’EUROPE ET D’ALGERIE, E. André,
36e fascicule, July 1, 1890, pp. 493-572, of vol. iv, 4 pls. Treats of the
genera Microplitis, Microgaster, Elasmosoma and Agathis.
TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR ENTOMOLOGIE (Hague), xxxii, 3d Afl., 1889.—The
Spiral muscle and the vesicle of the palpi of male spiders, by A. W. M.
Van Hasselt, 2 plates. Systematic and Synonymic Catalogue of the Neu-
roptcra observed in the Low Countries and their borders, by H. Albarda.
Some notes on Cidaria and other Lepidoptera, by P. C. T. Snellen.
ANNALES DE SCIENCES NATURELLES, 58e Annee, Vile Serie, ix, 1.—
Memoir on the venom and sting of the Bee, by Dr. G. Carlet, 1 pl. Zo-
ological and anatomical monograph of the genus Prosopistoma Latr., by
A. Vayssiere, 1 plate.
ARCHIV FUR MIKROSKOPISCHE ANATOMIE xxxv, heft 2,—The Develop-
ment of the Wall Bee (Chaliicodoma muraria Fabr.) in the Egg, by J.
Carriere, 2 plates.
MEMOIRES DE LA SOCIETE ROYALE DES SCIENCES DE LIEGE, Series 2,
xvi, April 1890.—Alphabetical Repertory of the specific names admitted
or proposed in the subfamily Libellulinz, with bibliographic, iconographic
and geographic references, by A. P. de Borre.
* Contains new species other than North American.
1890.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 115
A New MEtuop of rearing the Silk Worm (Boméya mori L.) on a
herbaceous plant, by Dr. C. O. Harz, Stuttgart, 1890. The plant is Scor-
zonera hispanica L.
Doings of Societies.
PHILADELPHIA, MAy 22, 1890.—A regular meeting of the Entomological
Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences was held at the Hall S. W.
cor. 19th and Race Streets. Meeting called to order at 8.20 o’clock. Mr.
Martindale in the chair. Members present: Ridings, Cresson and Skinner.
Associates: Calvert, Fox, Westcott, Seeber, Castle and Welles. Mr.
Calvert stated that he had recently caught a male specimen of Axomat-
agrion hastatum Say, for which species he had been on the lookout for
three Summers. It can readily be distinguished from all others by the
anomalous shape of the pterostigma of the anterior wing, which is also
separated from the anterior margin. The specimen was caught in Dela-
ware County, Pa. Mr. Seeber exhibited specimens of the rare and pretty
beetle, Buprestis ultramarina, which he had found near Red Bank, N. J.;
also a specimen of Belostoma americanum. Mr. Martindale called at-
tention to some cocoons of Cadlosomia promethia, which were found on
Wild Cherry, and which were peculiar and interesting on account of their
very small size. The cocoons had disclosed a pair of moths which were
about one-third smaller than normal specimens. He discussed their pos-
sible relation to angulifera, and the full sized form of the species. Mr.
Welles spoke of the habits of allied species in regard to the spinning of
cocoons. Dr. Skinner described a caterpillar (unknown species) collected
by Mrs. J. P. Ballard, at Easton, Pa. Mr. Blake thought it might be
Ceratomia amyntor.
JUNE 9, 1890.—Meeting called to order at 8.30 o’clock. Director Dr. G.
-H. Horn presiding. Members present: Martindale, Laurent, Ridings and
Skinner. Associates: Calvert, Liebeck, Fox, Castle and Haimbach. The
reports of the joint publication and the executive committees were read
and received. The committee reported favorably on papers Nos. 237 and
es 238. Donations to the Library were read. Verbal communications being
in order, Dr. Horn stated that he had lately been engaged on a study of
the EucNemMin of Mexico and southward, the results of which were to
be published in the *‘ Biologia Centrali Americana.’* They are very rare,
and usually but few species represented in collections. Being so rare and
difficult to study, very few have attempted it. He remarked, in addition,
that he had twenty-four types of Bonvouloir and all but three or four of
the forty-two species known, which latter number would probably be
doubled. The meeting adjourned to meet on the fourth Thursday in
September.
HENRY SKINNER,
Recorder.
116 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.—April 3, 1890. Mr.’ B.
E. Fernow was elected an active member of the Society.
Mr. Fox read a paper on a small group of spiders forming the subgenus
Ceratinella of the genus Zrigone. The subgenus includes about seven-
teen species distinguished by the presence of a shield on the abdomen.
All the specimens were collected east of the Alleghenies by Messrs. Marx
and Fox, and were found fully developed at all seasons of the year. The
paper was illustrated with drawings, and a.collection of the spiders was.
shown. Discussion followed by Messrs. Marx and Fox.
Mr. Schwarz read a paper entitled ‘* Labeling Specimens,”’ in which he
described the systems of labeling employed in the case of entomological
collections, dealing particularly with the systematic collection of the spe-
cialist. The various labels employed were described, and examples of
some of them were shown. The paper called forth considerable discussion,
which was participated in by Messrs. Riley, Mann, Schwarz, Marx and
Fox.
May 1, 1890.—The committee havitig i in charge the preparation for pub-
lication s* a list of the insect fauna of the District of Columbia, made a
partial report, which was discussed at length.
The name of Mr. Townsend was added to the sub-committee on Dip-
tera, and that of Mr. Marlatt to the sub-committee on Hymenoptera.
A revision of the sub-committees will be made at the next meeting.
Mr. Townsend read a list of eighty-seven species of Heteroptera col-
lected by him in southern Michigan, with some brief notes and dates of
occurrence. One species, Corimelena nitiduloides Wolff, was taken in
anest of Formica schaufusst Mayr.
Mr. Townsend also presented a paper on ‘“‘ Some Insects affecting cer-
tain Forest Trees, mostly from Michigan,” recording towards a hundred
Coleoptera and a few of other orders, affecting either the foliage or the
sound or decaying trunks of Oak, Hickory, Elm, Beech, Linden, Butter-
nut, Ironwood ( Carpinus), Willow, Hazel, etc.
These papers were discussed by Messrs. Schwarz and Riley.
Mr. Dodge read a paper on Artificial Silk, describing the Count de
Chardonnet’s method as exhibited at the late Paris Exposition of making
from cellulose a substance closely resembling silk. A detailed account
of the process of manufacture was given and illustrated with a figure of
the device for producing the thread, and a sample of the silk was ex-
hibited.
Discussions followed by Messrs. Philip Walker,. Riley, Amory, Austin
and others.
Mr. Marx presented some “‘ Arachnological notes,” in which he discussed
the comparative anatomy of the spinning glands of spiders. The relation
of those to the external spinning organs or spinnerets, and the importance
of both in classification were explained. Careful drawings of the parts
discussed were shown. C. L. MARLATT,
Recording Secretary.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for June was mailed May 27, 1890.
—-Ae
ele ol we, O48 BAS,
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. I. ~ OCTOBER, 1890. No. 8.
CONTENTS:
Bunker—Some experiences in Larve Martindale—A new form of Cabinet...... 126
Rearing... aious' (E12 Blake—Collecting in Pennsylvania.. ..... 127
PP: Cc: Lapieiieaney ‘Entomology. Eegeens 119 | INGEOS ANd NWS icevicccesesscsavavestSeccsssoscees 128
Goding—A new Apple Pest... sereeeee 123, | Entomological Literature........c0ssse-+++ 131
Ballard—What can it be?..-.---.-.0+-+-+- 124 | Doings of SocietieS.crsseesersersseeseseeese 135
SOME EXPERIENCES IN LARVZ REARING.
BY ROBERT BUNKER.
(Continued from page rro, vol. i.)
Occasionally we find a rare larva that has been stung by some
saucy ichneumon fly, and if we can save it in the manner de-
scribed on page 109, it will certainly-be a great gain. Of course
it must be done within a few days after the young worms have
entered the body of their host, or it will be of no use. The in-
ference to be drawn from this kind of treatment is that the chlo-
roform penetrated the body of the larva and destroyed the young
parasites, but was not in sufficient quantity to injure the larva.
Can the pupa of Darapsa versicolor remain under water two
weeks without injury? The past two years I have bred this fine
species from eggs found on the button bush (Cephalanthus occi-
dentalis) and last year’s catch of eggs was a surprise to me, be-
cause the low ground where the bushes grow was submerged for
two weeks, and of course the pupa must have been under water
that length of time, and yet when the proper time came around
I found eggs. Some may say the eggs may have been laid by
females that came from a distance, but that could hardly be, as
the nearest bushes are six miles distant. Mr. Hulst has written
8
118 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [October,
up the life-history of this species, so I will only add that the larva
vary from a maroon-brown to a light green, are very domestic in
their habits and extremely interesting. Darapsa chlerilus dif-
fers from the foregoing in depositing its eggs. They are some-
times laid singly and sometimes ex-masse, I once found twenty-
two in a cluster on the Azalea (Azalea nudifiora).
Smerinthus myops varies principally in the number and color
of the sub-dorsal spots; some have eight, four on each side, some
six, more often four, and not unfrequently two, and one specimen,
a regular unique, had but one spot, and that was situated on the
right side of third segment. But the climax of all was a brood
of nine I raised two years ago, which were destitute of spots. I
examined them very carefully, and not a vestige of a spot could
be seen. These immaculate specimens were light green without
the bluish tinge characteristic of most of them. The diagonal
lateral lines were very indistinct. When this unique group came
‘ out winged flies I found the sexes about equally divided, and was
in hopes to get a pairing and thereby ascertain whether the larva
would inherit the characteristics of their progenitors, but I failed.
Another characteristic of all I have bred so far is the spots were
cardinal or shumach-red, instead of rust-red.
In most cases the larvee of a species varies far more than the
imago, but in Smerinthus geminatus the reverse seems to be the
order of things, and no doubt the food-plant has something to
do with it; the eggs are found on willow and on poplar. The
eggs found on poplar are larger than those found on willow; the
imago is proportionally larger, the shading much deeper; and on
the whole a much finer insect than the willow feeders.
Many more instances of marked varieties might be mentioned,
but this paper is now longer than was at first intended, and I will
close by a few remarks on the larva of Smerinthus astylus. Last
Summer, after four hours’ search on the high bush huckleberry
( Vaccinium corymbosum) \ found a young worm, half an inch long,
of a bright green color. It moulted three times, but supposing
the species had been described, I did not make a description of
it till after the last moult, which runs as follows:
Larva bright green, 234 inch. long, 34 inch. diameter, uniform
in size, with seven, oblique, lateral, red lines, margined with yellow
on the under side; caudal horn black, base greenish yellow, nearly
straight and smooth. Head with a pea-green stripe on the side;
under side below the stigmatal spots sea-green, thickly studded
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 119
with very small, blue-black rings, extending the entire length of
the body, and covering the upper as well as the lower part of the
thorax; spiracles red.
It will be seen by the foregoing that my description differs very
materially from that of Mr. Jones, and is either a marked variety
or a distinct species.
fa’
Vv
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Fourth Paper—THE MovaBLeE Parts OF THE HEAD.
The antennz or feelers, are jointed appendages inserted on the
epicranium between or in front of the eyes. Regudar antenne
have the joints of similar shape; zrregu/ar antenne have the
joints of dissimilar shape; intermediate forms of antenne of
course occur. Technical names are applied to the different forms
of antenne. Of regular antennz the more common forms are:
_ Filiform (thread like), having the joints of uniform thickness,
or nearly so.
_ Setiform or setaceous (bristle like), having the joints succes-
sively more and more slender from the base* of the antenna to
its apex.
Subulate (awl shaped), similar to setaceous, but the transition
from the thick basal joints to the slender joints is more abrupt.
Moniliform (necklace like) having the joints globular.
Serrate (saw like), having the joints triangular, arranged like
the teeth of a saw.
Pectinate (comb like), each joint having a long process or pro-
jection on one side, the whole arranged like the teeth of a comb
(fig. 2).
Pinnate (feather like), each joint having one
or more projections on each of two opposite
sides, the whole looking like a feather.
Of irregular antennz, the more common are:
Clavate (club shaped), having the apical joints
somewhat more enlarged than the others.
ea rast oe Capitate (with a head, knobbed), having the
Pegtinatcantenns terminal (apical) joints greatly enlarged to form
iodes pectini-
cornis L.). 4 a knob.
* The base of any limb or appendage is that part by which it is attached, directiy or
indirectly, to the trunk, the apex is the opposite end, farthest from the trunk.
120 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ October,
Lamellate (plate like), having the terminal joints extended on
one side into broad plates (figs. 3 and
4).
An irregular
antenna may
often be divi-
Fig.3. Alamel- Fig.4. Alam- ded into por-
lateantenna(/P/eo- ellate antenna ,:;
coma Rickseckeri (Pleocoma hir- tions of a va-
Horn, male). ticollis Horn, rying number Fig.s5. An irregular antenna
female). of joints. In of a Hymenopter.
: ; a, scape, followed by a small
such an antenna as that shown in fig. 5 joint—the pedicel; 4, clavola,
the first or basal joint is the scape, the °f ten joints.
second joint is the pedicel, all the remaining joints compose the
clavola or flagellum. The clavola may itself consist of several
portions (fig. 6); its apical joints may be enlarged to form the
club; its proximal* joints may be very short and small, and are
_ then termed rving-joints; between the
_ ring-joints and the club is the funzcle.
The mouth parts or “vophi, differ
to a very great extent in the various
groups of insects, so much so that —
, Fabricius, the celebrated entomolo-
as amd Ror eon gist of the last century, founded his
joints; d, funicle of five joints; e, Classification of insects almost entirely
iit ii ¢ together, form the Gn the modifications of the Zvophi. '
These modifications result from the
nature of the food. Many insects living on liquids, such as the
nectar and honey of flowers, suck up those liquids through a
tube or proboscis. Others, feeding on animal or vegetable solids
require hard cutting parts to tear those solids in pieces.
But however much these modifications existing in different
insects may differ from each other, there is one general, typical
form and arrangement of the mouth parts, to which all the modi-
fications may be referred. This typical arrangement is as follows:
The mouth opening is situated between the front edges of the
clypeus above and the gula below. Attached to the lower (front)
part of the clypeus is the /abrum or upper lip (¢, fig. 17; @, fig. 7).
To the fore part of the gula is attached the /adzwm or lower lip
* Proximal in treating of a limb or appendage refers to parts or joints nearest to the
trunk as distinguished from dista/, farthest from the trunk.
+ Page 104 of this volume of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws.
1890. ]
ENTOMOLOGICAL . NEWS. I2I
(e, fig. 7). Between the labrum and the labium are two pairs of
Fig. 7. Typical arrangement of mouth parts.
Under side of head of Tiger-beetle (Cicinde/a).
a, gula; 4, 4, gene; c, c, compound eyes; d, front
margin of labrum; ¢, ¢,-e, labium; 7, mandible,
showing four teeth; g, four-jointed maxillary pal-
pus ; 2, two-jointed galea ; 7, lacinia ; 4, four-jointed
labial palpus; g, Zand /, are all parts of the maxilla.
jaws whose normal move-
ment is horizontal, not
vertical, as in the back-
boned animals. The up-
per (dorsal) pair—nearest
to the labrum—are the
mandibles (d, fig. 1; f, fig.
7), the lower (ventral)
pair are the maxille (g,
A, 2, fig. 7).
Such a typical arrange-
ment exists in the biting
insects, asin beetles, crick-
ets, grasshoppers, etc.,
and is shown in fig. 7.
The labrum usually consists of a single median piece, hinged
by its hind or upper edge to the'clypeus, by which it may some-
times be concealed.
Fig. 8. Ventral side of
left maxilla of Tiger-
beetle (Cicindela).
a, cardo; 4, stipes; c,
palpifer ; d, four-jointed
maxillary palpus; e, sub-
_ : i two-jointed ga-
ea; g, lacinia; 4, digitus.
The suture between the
nap ort and the lacinia
is obliterated. The fig-
ure gives the galea the
appearance of being at-
tached to the stipes ; its
real attachment is to the
subgalea, as stated in
the text.
Next below the labrum are the mandibles.
Usually they are one-jointed, and have a cut-
ting edge on the inner side. This cutting
edge may either be entire, z.e., unbroken, or
toothed. |
On the ventral side of the mandibles are
the maxillz, which are usually very compli-
cated. Each maxilla (fig. 8) consists of a
number of joints. The basal joint is the cardo
or hinge, the second is the s#ifes or footstalk.
The palpifer, or palpus-bearer, is a joint situ-
ated on the outer side of the stipes; as its
name indicates, it bears a conspicuous one- to
six-jointed palp—the maxillary palpus. On
the inner side of the stipes is another joint,
the swbgalea, or helmet-bearer. The subgalea
bears two joints, the galea, or helmet, and
the /acinia, or blade. The galea and lacinia
are each directly attached to the subgalea.
The galea is also called the outer, upper, or
superior lobe of the maxilla, while the lacinia is the zzner, or zn-
Serior lobe of the maxilla.
The lacinia ‘‘is the cutting or chew-
122 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
ing part of the maxilla and is often furnished with teeth or spines;”’
sometimes it bears a terminal joint—the digztus. As often hap-
pens in the case of other appendages, the sutures separating con-
tiguous joints of the maxilla become obliterated and the joints
unite. In such cases the maxilla appears to be composed of a
less number of joints than here described. Careful comparative
study alone will show where such obliterations and unions have
taken place in any one insect.
Unlike the labrum, the labium, or lower lip, is quite complex.
It so much resembles the maxillz as to have received the name
of second maxille. The labium is to
be regarded as a pair of appendages
united to each other on the middle
line of the body. A comparison of
fig. 8 with the right side of fig. 9,
will show the correspondence between
a maxilla and half the labium, the
homologous parts being lettered alike
in the two figures. The basal joint
Fig. 9. Ventral side of labium of
Black Cricket (Gryd/us).
a, submentum ; 4, 4, mentum; c¢,
palpiger; @, three-jointed labial pal-
pus; e, (unnamed, = subgalea); /,
two-jointed paraglossa; g, glossa.
The parts of the labium are here
marked with the same letters as the
corresponding parts in fig. 8. The
mentum is one piece, but there is a
line across it. The glossz are not
two-jointed, as the figure might
seem to show, what looks like a
terminal joint isa thin, membranous
portion. The suture between each
palpiger and mentum obliterated.
_of the labium is the suémentum, which
articulates with the gula; it is a single
median piece and corresponds to the
united cardos of the right and left
maxilla. The second joint, also a
single median piece is the mentum,*
corresponding to the united stipes of
the right and left maxilla. At each
outer apical angle of the mentum is
the palpiger, the homologue of the
palpifer. The palpiger bears the /a-
bial palpus, whose similarity to the maxillary palpus cannot be
mistaken. The joint marked ¢ in fig. 9 is apparently unnamed;
it corresponds to the subgalea, and bears two lobes, an inner (g)
the g/ossa, and an outer (/) the parag/ossa, corresponding to the
lacinia and galea respectively. Excepting the submentum, men-
tum and labial palpi, all the remaining parts of the labium con-
stitute the igw/a. Few insects have the joints of the labium so
distinct as the Black Cricket (fig. 9). Thus in the labium of the
* Some confusion exists‘as to the use of the term mentum. By some it is applied to the
part described above as the submentum, in which case that described above as the mentum
receives the name of hyoglottis. We have followed Comstock and Packard in the text.
By fens
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 123
Tiger beetle (¢, e, e, fig. 7) the sharp pointed middle piece (marked
by.the middle ¢) appears to represent the united glossze and para-
glossz, if nothing more. _ ,
It is necessary to warn the student that great variation exists in
different entomological writings, as to the names applied to the
parts of the labium. The nomenclature which is here given is
% that of Comstock, with very slight modifications; it seems based
7 on sound homologies with the parts of the maxille.
‘% _ Within the cavity of the mouth may be two other organs, the
epipharynx and the hypopharynx. The epipharynx is attached
to the inner surface of the labrum, the hypopharynx to the inner
surface of the labium; ‘‘both are rarely developed in the same
insect. .. . The form and position of the hypopharynx’’ re-
semble ‘‘those of the tongue of higher animals. On this ac-
count it has been named the /xgua, or tongue. But as both of
these terms have been applied to the glossa* it is best to desig-
nate this part as the hypopharynx, and to avoid the use of the
terms lingua and tongue, as liable to be ambiguous (Comstock).”’
The foregoing description of the mouth parts is of that referred
to above as the typical arrangement, and to be found in biting in-
sects. In various modifications existing in sucking insects, some
of the mouth parts may be represented only by bristles, or united
to form a sheath. eee, C:
Tal
A NEW APPLE PEST.
BY F. W. GODING, M.D., PH. D.
_ Empoasca birdii n. sp.—Seen from above long ovate, bright yellow, va-
rying to green; abdomen deeper yellow and attenuated at the extremity.
Head length of pronotum, obtusely rounded in front and convex; eyes
purple-black; ocelli nearer the eyes than each other; three pale bands
passing along the occiput, one at the centre and one at the edge on each
- side along border of the eyes. Pronotum one and a half times length of
scutellum, its posterior border straight, front arched; three large, pale
spots on front edge, the mesial one being continuous with the correspond-
ing band on the occiput. Scutellum large, triangular, depressed, having
a pale green, broad band on posterior part; apex and base yellow, a dark
spot occupying the disc. Abdominal joints gradually decreasing in size;
pure yellow. Elytra slightly smoky, with a darker band passing across
the centre. Wings hyaline and iridescent, in the former the terminal vein
is at the margin, while in the latter has a membranous margin; lower part
* When the two glosse alone are united into one median piece, this piece is often called
the glossa.
o
124 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
of tibize and all of tarsi indigo-blue; femora with a row of strong spines.
One specimen with all colors much deepened, and some minor differences,
may prove to be distinct. Length about 2mm.; 3 mm. to end of hemilyta;
breadth one-third the length.
Described from many specimens. Taken in Illinois from leaves
of apple, hop, walnut, bean, and some weeds. I regret to add
another to the long list of apple pests, but I am compelled to do
so from observations repeated during two seasons. The speci-
mens were taken from May until after heavy frosts. Their inju-
ries to the apple leaves were plainly to be seen, the leaves being ~
discolored wherever a puncture had been made. An account of
its injuries appears in the Lacon. (Illinois) ‘‘ Fruit Grower’’ vol.
i, p. 132, July, 1890.
I take pleasure in dedicating this beautiful little species to my
highly esteemed friend, Miss Emma Bird, who has greatly aided
me in entomological work for several years.
fa’
Vv
WHAT CAN IT BE?
BY MRS. JULIA P. BALLARD,
Easton, Pa.
On the 12th of September, 1889, a large ‘‘ mulberry’’ colored
caterpillar was given to me. Its food-plant was not known. It
was very strong and very snappish. There were two pairs of
spined horns, one pair on the third and one on the fourth ring,
and a strong sharp-pointed spined horn at the end. His whole
length was marked by diagonal lines of the same mulberry color,
but of a darker shade. These radiated from the central line down
his back just like the veinings of a leaf. He was fully three in-
ches in length, quite as large as the caterpillar of the Royal Dryo- —
campa (C. vegalis). No food offered him proved satisfactory.
He resented the slightest disturbance with a sudden, quick mo-
tion, jerking about as if in a fury of passion, but kept quite still
if not disturbed. I at once recognized him as the same kind of
caterpillar I once secured nearly ten years ago.
‘‘T saw an immense caterpillar, as I was coming up the hill,
fully three if not four inches long,’’ said a friend coming in one
hot June day.
‘‘ Why didn’t you bring him along?’’ was the quick response.
‘*T had no box, and I dare not touch him.”’
Seeing me don my hat and take up a pencil and parasol, said:
**You will not find him; he’ll be sure to have gotten away,”’
- 1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 125
was the not too encouraging remark. But, with the exact lo-
cality given (which chanced to be a large stone horse-block at a
gentleman’s residence, some distance away, and which of course
could suggest no food-plant for his meals), I started—and to re-
ward faith and perseverance—he was found on the identical block,
captured safely, although snappish at disturbance, and after being
secured in his box prison was tempted by every imaginable kind
of leaf to be obtained from garden or wood. Nothing would he
touch, and of course he soon died without a sign. Had he then
been placed upon earth he would probably have ‘‘ gone down’”’
and become a chrysalis in his own way. At any rate, acting on
this thought, the one secured last September was placed on a box
of earth and was soon lost to sight, going down on the next day
(September 13th). On September 18th, rolling back the earth,
I found a fine large chrysalis with an unusual tinge of red in the
brown. The rings were formed by two or three narrow and some-
what constricted rings; the chrysalis was broadest in the middle,
and tapering to asharp point at the end. The head has a pinched
look and markings, which, as hasty dashes, give the effect of a
face, two eye dashes and a horizon mouth line. From that day
of September until now (April 13, 1890) he has lain so still that,
but for an occasional tremor and a very occasional jerk when
slightly touched, one would have said there was surely no life
there. But he has moved to-day, and now all one can do by way
of satisfying his curiosity is to wait a development, which cannot
be far off. A line hinting of a crack down the centre of the front
of the head shows where the chrysalis will break, and it is exactly
like that of the Imperial Dryocampa (LZ. imperialis).
On April 21st the chrysalis responded to raps upon the box
every time (and for the first time) as I have often had the Poly-
-phemus chrysalis do by a rapid movement of the end of its body
_ which shows me it is nearing the time of its change to the imago.
Through all the past months it has lain as still as if dead, with a
very occasional exception of a slight movement when touched.
Ordinarily it made no response to this, and tried one’s faith as
to any latent life as much as the chrysalis of the Royal Walnut
(C. regalis) does.
NotE.—It was suggested that this might be Ceratomia amyntor,
the four-horned sphinx, but Mrs. Ballard has reared amyntor, and
the unknown cannot be it.— Eb.
126 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
A NEW FORM OF CABINET FOR BUTTERFLIES.
BY ISAAC C. MARTINDALE,
Having just had completed a new cabinet, which gives such
good satisfaction, I am prompted to acquaint the readers of the
NEws with the manner of its construction, and its many advan-
tages, as it is the best form I have yet seen for easy examination,
study, or comparison of specimens. The case is of Walnut, and
is made in two sections (thus being more portable), one fitting
on top of the other, the upper having sixteen drawers and the
lower one twenty-four, each drawer being 24 inches wide by 20
inches deep, and of sufficient height to admit of the use of any
ordinary pin. Each drawer has also its separate compartment,
this I have found much better than where they slide on runners;
the drawers being all interchangeable, admit of any change of
location, which so often is found necessary where one’s collection
is constantly receiving new accessions.
The especial feature is the drawer itself, which, instead of hav-
ing a cork bottom as is usually the case, has both the top and
bottom of glass; the top part of the drawer frame fits tightly over:
a ledge one inch in height, effectually preventing the intrusion of
destructive insects, the pest of the entomologist, but it is readily
lifted when it is desirable to add to the contents, or change the
location of the specimens. For the inside arrangement I have
taken a strip of common tin, one inch wide, and turned up each
side five-sixteenths of an inch, thus leaving three-eighths of an
inch for the bottom, the length of the strip of tin being about
two inches longer than the width of the drawer admits of each
end being turned up one inch; into this tin trough is tightly fitted
a cork strip three-eighths of an inch square, the whole being
covered with white paper, such as is usually used for lining
drawers, conceals the inequalities of the cork, and makes a fine
finish; they should be made to fit neatly in the drawer, and can
be readily moved about to suit large or small specimens; for Zy-
cenas, Pamphilas, etc., as many as fifteen of these strips may be
used in one drawer, and as few as five for Worphos, Caligos, etc.
The upturned ends are fastened in place by using the ordinary
thumb tacks that can be-procured at any stationer’s; the frame
work of the drawers should be of White Pine; well seasoned;
into this the thumb tacks are readily inserted and as easily with-
drawn when a change in the position of the cork strips is needed.
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 127
The superiority of this form of case for butterflies will be readily
perceived, as the upper and under surface of the wings can be
seen by simply turning the drawer without touching the insect,
and there is no danger of breaking or injuring specimens. The
cost of the case is no greater than if made in the old style.
ral
Vv
COLLECTING IN THE WILDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
BY CHARLES A. BLAKE.
During the latter part of last July, being up in Tioga County
and having a day to spare, I concluded to try that section ento-
mologically, so, early in the morning, got my traps together and
found a zative who agreed to take me in his buggy, in which we
rode to a wild spot not far from Niles Valley, and about the
roughest ride I ever experienced. We halted close to a deep ©
ravine which looked promising, and climbing down among the
rocks, which here are of gigantic proportions, began my survey.
The rock formation I thought belonged to the Laurentian group,
but not being geologist enough to determine that point with cer-
tainty, mentioned it to Prof. Heilprin on my return, who soon
satisfied me that my speculations were wrong.
Passing through the ravine I came upon a beautiful little ais.
which the before-mentioned native said was called Martin dale, on
account of the vast number of swallows that congregate there,
and from appearances should judge it was a paradise for the
botanist. At the northern end there was a small sheet of water
called Chué Lake, where I captured several species of hymenop-
tera among the watercress on the shore. Not far from the edge
of the water I noticed a snake-skin nervously twitching, and on
investigating matters, found it contained several specimens of
_ Necrophorus americana, Silpha americana and a species of Der-
_ mestes, which I bottled. Among the débris on the shore was a
curious specimen of Xyloryctes satyrus, in which the hor was
curved forward, but I unfortunately lost it.
In a dense wood on the opposite side of the lake there were
ant hills and ants enough to satisfy even Dr. McCook had he been
there. While examining the trees for Catocale five or six species
occurred, among them C. relicta. In this wood I noticed a large
number of Libellulide, apparently flying around a bluejay nesting
in a tall Pzve tree, and I nearly dislocated my cervical vertebrze
128 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ October,
looking up to see what all the commotion was about. The jay
appeared greatly agitated by the insects, and kept up a constant
flutter and chatting. As it appears a wed/ established fact that the
bluejay is not a strictly insectivorous bird, I could not account for
its actions. Thinking to drive her from the nest I threw a stone
at it, missed of course, but brought down a mass of yellow fungus
that was full of Megalodacne heros, several of which I bottled.
In the neighborhood of the lake I captured specimens of Van-
essa milberti, Feniseca tarquinius, Grapta J-album and Alypia
octomaculata. I have never seen birds so abundant as they were
in this valley, one I s/ew zs a Chordeiles virginianus, the night-
hawk, the skin of which is now in my collection. The craw was
literally stuffed with coleoptera, showing it was a better collector
than myself.
As I had had a good day’s collecting we took to our buggy
again; after riding some distance a bolt broke, on account of the
nice road spoken of above, and for a moment it looked as though
I should lose the result of my trip, but we fortunately found a
smith who soon put us in good shape, so that I arrived home in
time for supper, and quite satisfied with my success.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL sp ts oy
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
PAMPHILA AARONI was found in abundance at Cape May last month by
Mr. Witmer Stone. C. eubule was also found.
SoMETIMES at least a quart of mosquitos could have been gathered from
under each electric light on Congress Hall porch, Cape May, N. J.
PoMPILUS ZTHIOPS Cress., was seen at Westville, N. J., carrying away a
species of 7rochosa which it had evidently just captured and killed, as
_ the spider was bright and perfect. Wasp and spider were both bottled,
A NATURALIST observes, admiringly, ‘‘ There is a butterfly, one of the
world’s 12,000 species, the tiny eye of which contains 17,000 facets. ” This
will explain to small boys why the butterfly is such an expert in dodging
a hat. d
1890. | ; ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 129
Prof. E. W. Doran recently resigned the office of State Entomologist
of Tennessee, which he had held for five years, having recently removed
to Missouri. During his incumbency he furnished two reports and a cata-
logue of the insects of the State. Dr. F. W. GopInc.
Mr. W. H. AsHMeEap intended to sail for Europe on September 3d,
steamer ‘‘ Munchen,”’ to be abroad two years. He hoped to visit the large
collections of the continent and pay especial attention to parasitic Hy-
MENOPTERA; also expected to visit Italy and make some studies on orange
insects.
I LATELY reared seven specimens of the larve of Zerias nicippe to the
chrysalis state. Five of the chrysalids were of the normal green color,
and two were black. Mr. Scudder calls attention to the same occurrence
in his book on the ‘‘ Butterflies of the Eastern United States.’’ His speci-
mens disclosed the normal form of fly. H. SKINNER.
Tue last of the MSS. for part 1 of the new “‘ Handbook of the Destruc-
tive Insects of Victoria’ with 13 colored plates has been handed to the
government printer, and the work was to have been completed by the end
of July. The prospectus has just been issued of a new book entitled, ‘‘ A
Manual of New Zealand Entomology,”’ by Mr. Geo. Vernon Hudson,
Fellow of the Entomological Society of London, of Wellington, New
Zealand. The work will consist of about 150 pages, and will cotain 20-
colored plates, illustrating over 100 species of typical New Zealand insects.
Mr. C. W. JOHNSON took a specimen of Neonympha Mitchellii at Dover,
Morris Co., N. J. It agrees exactly with specimens of Mitched/ii in the
collection of the American Entomological Society received from Prof.
Mitchell. NV. Mitchellii was described by Prof. French in the Canadian
Entomologist for February, 1889, p. 25. The types came from Cass Co.,
Michigan, and were found in upland dry meadows. The country around
Dover, N. J., is rocky and hilly. It seems remarkable that this species
has not been noticed before if it is at all plentiful, and also more remark-
able that the first additional locality should be so far away from the origi-
nal. Mr. Johnson’s specimen was caught July to, 1890. H. SKINNER.
I was pleased to read in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws the article about bait-
ing insects with sugar, molasses, or other sweets. I have followed the
advice given in the Lepidopterist’s Calendar, London, 1875. It is to mix
two tablespoonfuls of new rum with one pint of molasses. The rum gives
flavor, and is, I suppose, more diffusible than saccharine matter alone,
and will no doubt serve as a night-cap to RHOPALOCERA, and as an eye-
opener to HeTEROCERA. You will notice many LEpmpoprTerRa feeding
on over-ripe fruit in which vinous fermentation has commenced. During
this process much alcohol and cenanthic ether is given off, attracting but-
terflies, etc. Under fruit trees, with the ground covered with decaying
cherries, mulberries, pears, etc., you will find many, such as Limenitis,
Papilio, Grapta and others, and to me it seems that they resort to fruit--
bearing trees and bushes for their “‘toddy.”’ Dr. RICHARD KUNZE.
130 ENTOMOLOIGCAL NEWS. [ October,
COLIAS PHILODICE, var. a/ba.—I notice that the foot-note on p. 93, vol.
I, states that if the genitalia of my white phi/odice were examined it would
probably be found to be a female. This I will venture to say was done
the day it was captured, and it is a male without a doubt. I have forty
specimens of C. philodice in my collection, including some very rare forms,
but this white male seems the oddest of all. One pair (females) are of a
pale lemon-yellow, and in some respects resemble the Swedish males of
C. paleno; also yellow females without the submarginal rows of yellow
spots on the upper side. Some females that are suffused with black and
on the under side have a smoky-orange cast. Among the males I have a
specimen that has the black border very narrow on the primaries and
almost obsolete on the secondaries; this I think is var. azthyale of Hiib.
This latter form I generally take among the Spring brood when I also find .
the very small specimens which seldom appear later in the season.
Gro. A. EHRMAN.
WHILE walking along the edge of a mountain stream I was surprised
to see one of these butterflies (Papilio macleyanus) alight close to the
water, into which it backed till the whole of the body and the lower part
of the hind wings were submerged, the two forelegs alone retaining their
hold of the dry land. After remaining in this position for something like
half a minute it flew away, apparently refreshed. During the morning I
noticed quite a number doing the same thing. In one instance no less
than four were to be seen within a space of not more three yards, and to
make sure that I was not deceived I captured several as they rose from
the water, and found in each case the body and lower edge of the hind
wings quite wet. While in the water the fluttering of the wings, so notice-
able at other times, was suspended, and so intent were the butterflies in
the enjoyment of their cold bath that they would hardly move, even when
actually touched by the net. Apparently the heat of the weather drove
them down to the water, as immediately they emerged they flew up again
to the hillsides (GEo. LYELL, in the ‘‘ Victorian Naturalist’ for June, ’90).
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: rst, The number of speci-
mens to be limited to twelve (12) for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of
transportation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological
Society ; 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may
be announced accordingly. Such identifications as can be given will be published, accord-
ing to number, in the issues of the News. Address packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws,
Academy Natural Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa. ;
EUGENE R. FISCHER.—1, Catocala amatrix; 2, Cybister fimbriolatus;
3, Ligyrus relictus; 4, Argiope cophinaria; 5, Spilosoma virginica; 6,
Lygus pratensis; 7, Lopidea medea?; 8, Scarites substriatus.
W. M. Hiti_.—1, Tetraopes tetraophthalmus; 2, Silpha inequalis; 3,
Attelabus analis; 4, Geotrupes Balyi; 5, Trichius piger; 6, Canthon
levis; 7, Calopteron reticulatum; 8, Lachnosterna gibbosa; 9, Epicauta
cinerea; 10, Epicauta strigosa; 11, Dineutes sp.?
‘al = + — ae
a
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ; 131
Entomological Literature.
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXPERIMENT STATION KANSAS
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, p. 206. Some Insects Inj. to the Bean.
JOURNAL OF THE AsIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, vol. lvili, pt. 2, Suppl.
No. 1.—Catalogue of the Insecta of the Oriental region, No. 1. Order
CoLEopTERA, Family CicinDELID&, by E. T. Atkinson. Catalogue of
Insecta 2. Order RHYNcCHOTA, Sub-order HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA.
Family Capsip#, by E. T. Atkinson, with bibliographical table, etc., 174
pp. This is an important paper to American students, as it includes the
species of the world, vol. lviii, pt. 2, No. 4, 1889. On Certain Lycenidze
from Lower Tenasserim, by William Doherty, Cincinnati, U. S. A., pp.
31, pl. 1» A number of new species are described.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZOOLOGIE xlix, heft 4, 1890.—
_ The eye of Caterpillars and Phryganid larvee, by O. Pankrath, 2 plates.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, 19 May and 2 June, 1890.—Analytical Chem-
ical Researches on living caterpillars, pupze and butterflies, and on their
secretions, by F. Urech.
Tue VicToriAN NATURALIST June, 1890.—Some Notes on the Trans-
formations of Australian LEPIDOPTERA, by Hy. Edwards.
TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEw ZEALAND INSTITUTE,
vol. xxii, 1889.—Further notes on Coccididz, with descriptions of new
species from Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, by W. M. Maskell. On
some species of Psyllidz in New Zealand, by W. M. Maskell. On some
Aleurodidz from New Zealand and Fiji, by W. M. Maskell. An ento-
mological tour on the table-land of Mt. Arthur, by G. V. Hudson. £7vis-
talis tenax and Musca vomitoria in New Zealand, by G. V. Hudson:
Descriptions of New Zealand LEpipopTERA, by E. Meyrick. Notes ona
collection of Pselaphaidz from the neighborhood of Clevedon, southern
Wairoa, by Capt. T. Brown. Description of a new species of Argiope
from Fiji, by A. T. Urquhart. On two species of Aranea new to science
from the Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, by A. T. Urquhart. Descrip-
tion of new species of Araneidze, by A. T. Urquhart. Description of new
species of New Zealand Aranez with notes on their habits, by P. Goyen.
On the occurrence of the Black Vine-weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) in
Nelson, by R. I. Kingsley.
JopRNAL OF THE BomBay NATURAL History Society, vol. v, No. 1.—
The Butterflies of the Central Provinces, by J. A. B. A Preliminary List
of the Butterflies of Mysore, by E. Y. Watson. Notes on Indian Ants, by
George Alexander. J. Rothney. vol. v, No. 2. Description. of a new
Morphid Butterfly from Northeastern India, by Lionel de Niceville. But-
terflies of the Central Provinces, by J. A. Betham (continued).
132 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. . [October,
A MONOGRAPH OF ORIENTAL CICADID&, by W. L. Distant. Part 3,
pp. 49-72. With two plates. June, 1890. Contains descriptions and fig-
ures of species of Cosmopsaltria and Pomponis.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, July, 1890.—Notes on the Geographical
Distribution of some Australian Buprestidz, Pt. 1, by C. French.
CATALOGUE OF INSECTS FOUND IN NEw JERSEY, by John B. Smith.
From the Final Report of the State Geologist, vol. 11. This makes a
large volume of 486 pages and covers all the orders. The catalogue has
been compiled from all available sources, and names of species not actu-
ally recorded from the State, but supposed to be found there are inserted.
It is an open question whether this should have been done; 6098 species
are listed, Coleoptera coming first, with 2227; Lepidoptera next, with 1140,
and Hymenoptera third, with 1074. The other orders have comparatively
fewer species recorded, not because they do not exist in the State, but
because they have not received the attention they deserve from entomolo-
gists. The list can’t fail to be useful to both the field worker and the
systematist.
CONTRIBUTION TOWARD A MONOGRAPH OF THE INSECTS OF THE LE-
PIDOPTEROUS FAMILY NOCTUID2 OF TEMPERATE NORTH AMERICA.—
Revision of the species of the genus Agrotis, by John B. Smith. The
above is Bulletin No. 38, United States National Museum, 231 pages, 5
plates, 83 figures. The old genus Agrotis is divided into sixteen genera
and many of these subdivided into convenient groups. Descriptions of
the species with habitat and notes are given and a number of new ones
described.
BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA. Part 86, June, 1890.—Arachnida-
Acaridea, by Otto Stoll (pl. xv, CoLEOPTERA, vol. ii, pt. 1, by D. Sharp
(pl. 10), vol. iv, pt. 2, by G. C. Champion (pp. 161-184); vol. vi, pt. sup-
plement, by M. Jacoby (pp. 185-200); HYMENOPTERA, vol. ii, by P. Cam-
eron (pp. 89-96, pl. 6); LEPIDOPTERA-HETEROCERA, Vol. i, by H. Druce
(417-424); DipTerRA, vol. ii, by F. M. van der Wulp (pp. 145-176, pl. 4).
THE CoLors OF ANIMALS, THEIR MEANING AND USE, ESPECIALLY
CONSIDERED IN THE CASE OF INSECTS, by Edward Bagnall Poulton, M.A.,
F.R.S. International Scientific Series, by D. Appleton & Co., New York,
339 pages, illustrated. This is a very interesting work to the entomologist,
and should be in every library. Some of the subjects treated are the
Physical Cause of Animal Colors, Protective Resemblance, Dimorphism,
Warning Colors, Protective Mimicry, Sexual Coloring, etc.
AMERICAN SPIDERS AND THEIR SPINNING-WORK.—A Natural History
of the Orbweaving Spiders of the United States with Special Regard to |
their Industry and Habits, by Henry C. McCook, D.D., vol. ii. This fine
volume is handsomely illustrated with five colored plates and 4or cuts,
and consists of 469 pages. Dr. McCook is to be congratulated on this.
grand addition to spider literature.
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 133
Tue Entomovoaist, September, 1890.—Additions to the British List
of Deltoids. Pyralides and Crambi, since 1859 (with plates), by Richard
South. Notes on some species of Gall-gnats (Cecidomyiz), by T. D. A.
Cockerell. Contributions to the Chemistry of Insect Colors, by T. H.
Perry Coste. An addition to the Plusiidz of Britain, by R. South. Five
- Days’ Collecting in Normandy, by J. H. Leech. Entomological Notes,
Captures, etc. Doings of Societies.
SeEcOoND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EXPERIMENT
Stations for 1889. Ten pages are devoted to Entomology, by Ellison
A. Smyth, Jr., botanist and entomologist.
VERHANDLUNGEN DER K. K. ZOOL.-BOT. GESELLSCHAFT IN WIEN, xl,
2 Quartal, June, 1890. On the connecting links between the orthorraphic
and cyclorrhaphic DipTERA and those between Syrphide and Muscarie,
_by Dr. Fr. Brauer. On Lorrainian Gall Flies,* by J. J. Kieffer. Explana-
tion of J. C. Savigny’s plates of Orthoptera in the ‘‘Description de
Egypte,” by Dr. H. Krauss. On the adaptation of the colors of butter-
flies and caterpillars to their surroundings, and on the character of the
Lepidopterous fauna of the Kilima-Ndjaro district in East Africa, by A.
Rogenhiofer, etc.
CompT. RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, July 5, 1890.
—Causeries Odonatologiques, by E. de Selys-Longchamps; reviews Dr.
Hagen’ s recent synopses of Ca/opterya and Anaz, with a note on some
of the American Mecistogasters. A new type of underground Prionid,
by A. Lameere; Geoprionus n. gens, type G. syntheticus n. sp., Rio Brazil.
VERHANDLUNGEN DES NATURFORSCHENDEN VEREINES IN BRUNN,
xxvii, 1888 (Briinn, 188c).—The Lepidoptera of the Achal-Tekke Dis-
trict, by H. Th. Christoph; a bibliographical and geographical list of the
species from this district of Turkestan. Identification of the European
CoLEorTeRA. Family Phalacridze,* by C. Flach, x pl. An entomological
excursion from Briinn to the borders of Transylvania in June, 1888, by Dr.
A. Fleischer, with a list of Coleoptera* then collected. Coleopterolog-
ical Results (of the expedition in Transcaspia in 1886 and 1887, conducted
by Dr. G. Radde, Dr. A. Walter and A. Konchin) by E. Reitter;* Aicro-
julistus, Colposcythis, Anidania, Adoxinia, new genera.
Le Natur-IsTE (Paris), Aug. 1 and other numbers, 1890. New lepid-
optera from Ecuador are described by P. Dognin.
ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER, July 19, 1890.—Is the Ommatidium a Hair-
bearing sense Bud? by William Patten.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATHIQUE DE Paris, 8e serie, ii, 1890.
Note on the lyriform organs of Arachnids. Note on the anatomical struc-
ture of the pecten of scorpions ‘and the coxal raguettes of the Galeodz.
Note on the movement of the limbs and jointed hairs in the Arthropoda,
by P. Gaubert.
* Contains new species other than North American.
g*
134 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
JAHRESHEFTE DES VEREINS FUR VATERLANDISCHE NATURKUNDE IN
WorRTEMBERG, xlvi, 1890.—The fly Teichomyza fusca Marx., and The
odor-producing apparatus in butterflies, by Dr. E. Hofmann.
DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITUNG, 1890, heft 1.—Contains papers
on the CoLEopTERA, describing many new species, but none from North
America, except Veturius sinuatocollis Kuwert, Costa Rica. Some of the
chief papers are some new Passalide A. Kuwert (Paailloides n. gen.).
New analytical synopsis of the genus Omoplus E. Reitter (Omophiina,
FHleliosthrema n. gen.). Analytical revision of the genus Amphicoma E.
Reitter. New Coleoptera from Europa, the bordering countries and
Siberia, with remarks on known species, by E. Reitter, etc.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE pu NorD DE LA FRANCE, August, 1890. —Notes on
the Thysanoura, iii. On some new, or little known et collected at
Croisic, by R. Moniez.
ATTI DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI SCIENZE NATURALI, xxxii, Milan,
1889.—Study on the structure and function of the organs adhering to rane
tarsi of Coleoptera, by P. Paolo, 4 plates.
CoMPTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Aug. 2, 1890.
—On the unity of origin of the Arthropod Type, by A. Lameere.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Aug. 4, 1890.—On the developmental history
of Platygaster instricator L. ( femorator Dalm.) by N. Kulagin.
ZOOLOGISCHE JAHRBUCHER, V, heft 2, 1890.—General Biology of Butter-
flies, by Dr. A. Seitz; the first part only is published now, and treats of
the geographical distribution of butterflies and their dependence on cli-
matic influences. Contribution to the knowledge of the West African
Orthoptera,* by Dr. H. Krauss, 1 pl.
CoOMPTE RENDU. CONGRES INTERNATIONAL DE ZOOLOGIE A PARIS,
1889-1890.—On the artificial importation of parasites and natural enemies
of noxious insects in vegetation, by C. V. Riley. :
ACTES DE LA SOCIETE LINNEENNE DE BORDEAUX, xlii.—Study on the
species of Avicularidz which inhabit the north of Africa.* Revision of
the Avicularide of the republic of Ecuador.* Descriptions of new Af
rican species of the family Avicularidz,* by E. Simon. A number of new
genera are characterized in these three papers.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE D’ ETUDES SCIENTIFIQUES D’ANGERS. New
series, xviii. Catalogue of the CoLEorTERA of Maine-et-Loire, 2d part,
by M. Gallois. R
NOUVELLES ARCHIVES DU MUSEUM D’ HISTOIRE NATURELLE, 3d series,
i, fasc. 1-17, 18-36. Paris, 1889. Researches on the insects of Patagonia,
collected by the In. expedition sent to observe the transit of Venus at
Santa Cruz, Patagonia, in 1882, by E. Lebrun, L. Fairmaire and P. ben
Includes the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, 3 plates.
* Contains new species other than North American.
+
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 135
SocrETE p’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DE TOULOUSE, xxiii, 1889.—Materials
gontributing to the entomological —_ of the south of France—Hemip-
tera, by M. Marquet.
“TERMESZETRAJZI FUZETEK (Budapest), xiii, 1890.—Contributions to the
distributions of Galls, with particular Pee to the neighborhood of
Budapest, v, Szepligeti.
- ZoOOLoGIscHER ANZEIGER, Aug. 18, 1890.—On the hermaphroditic func-
tion of the Sexual Glands of the male of Phyllodromia (Blatta L.) ger-
manica, by R. Heymons.
-ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, No. 14, July, 1890.—On Dimor-
| phism and Mimicry in Butterflies, by L. Glaser.
No. 15, August, 1890. —-New species of hae by A. Schletterer, mostly
from Chili.
No. 16, August, 1890.—Three papers on the Coleopterous genus Athous
and its allies,* by E. Reitter. Z/athous n. gen.
Doings of Societies.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, June 5, 1890.—Mr.
Ashmead, under general notes, announced the discovery of a genus of
Proctotrupidz new to the United States. The insect phitrache/us amer-
icanus is interesting as furnishing a connecting form between the sub-
families Ceraphroninz and Platygasterine.
Mr. Schwarz exhibited a specimen of 7hroscus pugnaz, which species
is new to the fauna of the District. ——
Prof. Riley presented a paper ‘‘ On the Difficulty of dealing with Lach-
nosterna,”’ in which he described the attacks of those beetles on certain
large trees, especially Chestnut and Swamp Oak, having a height of about
thirty feet which had been transplanted to his grounds last February. The
successive appearance and work of the several species of Lachnosterna
were described and the experiments with remedies detailed. The latter
consisted in spraying with strong whale oil and tobacco soap solution, and
later with London Purple at the rates of one pound to 125 gallons of water.
The applications were satisfactorily made, but proved ineffective. The
first did not prevent the attacks of the beetles at all, and while the second
resulted in the poisoning of many of the beetles as indicated. by the find-
ing of dead ones on the ground, it was of little value in limiting the on-
slaught. Prof. Riley deduced from his experiments that it was practically
impossible to protect large trees from Lachnosterna. It was shown also
that the beetles came from the ground near the trees, and appear to have
a predilection for newly transplanted trees. The injury consisted in the
gnawing off of the leaves at the base of the petiole.
* Contains new species other than North American.
136 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
The paper was discussed by Messrs. Fernow, Riley, Schwarz, Howard .
and Mann.
In a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on Xyleborus,’’ Mr. Schwarz commented
upon the discovery of a wild food-plant of Xy/eborus dispar ( pyri). This
Scolytid had been found quite recently in the vicinity boring and oviposit-
ing in young shoots of Liviodendron tulipiferum. (In the same branches
another species, X. sachygraphus, was discovered, and Mr. Schwarz ex-
hibited and described its galleries. Discussion followed by Messrs. Riley,
Schwarz, Ashmead and Fernow.
Mr. Howard read a paper entitled, ‘‘ The Habits of Eurytoma,”’ in which
he called attention to the fact that heretofore the generally-surmised para-
sitic habit of the members of this genus had never been conclusively
shown; and the close relationship of Aurytoma with the Phytophagic
genus Jsosoma would lead to the inference that the former might be, in
part at least, inquilines and not true parasites. The tollowing of a certain
species from the larval stage to the pupal, in which they were at once
recognized as a species of Hurytoma,* settled in one instance at least the
question of larval habit. An Oak gall, Gynips Quercus-prunus, was found,
on cutting it open May 17th, to contain six full grown parasitic larvee, af-
terwards determined as given above, and the remains of a larva which
they had nearly devoured.
The paper was discussed by Messrs. Riley, Howard and Ashmead.
C. L. MARLaATT,
Recording Secretary.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA OF GORTYNA NITELA GUEN. AND ITS
VARIETY NEBRIS.—Length full grown 1% inches. Uniform pale honey-
yellow. Head dark honey-yellow, shining, bearing a few scattered, erect
hairs. Mouth parts and a small spot on cheeks castaneous. Dorsal sur-
face of second segment pale brown, shining, shaded laterally with blackish
brown. Feet and stigmata black; segments three to eleven each with
four brownish gray spots on the dorsum, the anterior larger and closer
together than the posterior; each spot bearing a single erect hair; the
twelfth segment having four quadrate spots of the same color, larger than
the rest. A brownish gray spot just behind each stigma. Posterior seg-
ment slightly rugose, dark honey-yellow, margined with brownish black;
bases of anal prolegs pale brown. Feeds in the stems of the great rag
weed (Ambrosia trifida) and burdock (Arctium lappa). The larve went
down July 3oth, and the imagos emerged August 28th.
Two broods raised this season by my friend, P. Stephens, Montgomery
County, exhibit both forms about evenly divided.—C. A. B.
* The imagos obtained later proved to be Zurytoma prunicola Walsh.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for September was mailed August 28, 1890.
=
ea
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
) PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VoL. 1. _ NOVEMBER, 1890. No. 9.
CONTENTS:
Fox—Aculeate Hymenopteta.............++ 137 | Notes and News 145
Gillette—Oviposition of Anomalon....... 139 | Entomological Literature................000 147
P. P. C.—Elementary Entomology....... 140 | Doings of Societies............secserssecseseeees 150
Hamilton—Entomology at Longport. .- 142
Beutenmuller—Preparatory stages of
Datana Contracta.........cccecseeeretecee 144
Three new species of Aculeate Hymenoptera.
BY WILLIAM J. FOX.
Sphex (Isodontia) macrocephalus n. sp.
9 .—Black; head large, subquadrate, covered with long, erect,
black hairs, sparsely punctured, more closely so on the face and
clypeus; clypeus carinated; labrum and mandibles smooth and
shining, the former rounded in front, with a slight pit on each
side of the slight carina anteriorly. Thorax finely punctured,
covered with long, erect, black hairs; disc with a distinct im-
pressed line, extending from base to centre, scutellum not closely
punctured; tegulz smooth, impunctured; legs shining, posterior
surface of hind tibize with sericeous pile. Wings blue-black,
shining, the marginal cell with the tip obtuse, the third submar-
ginal rounded at tip. Petiole finely, but not closely punctured;
with long, erect hairs ; the remaining segments of the abdomen
smooth, shining, with a few scattered, punctured beneath, and
last segment with a few scattered hairs. Length .80 inch.
One specimen. Collected in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia,
Pa., during 1889.
138 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _[November,
Miscophus americanus n. sp.
?.—Black; face, cheeks and thorax covered with silvery pile,
very dense on the clypeus and sides of the thorax; head wider
than the thorax, very finely and closely punctured, a distinct lon-
gitudinal impressed line, extending from lower ocellus almost to
base of clypeus; clypeus divided into three parts, the latter
rounded in front, the central part largest; thorax very finely
punctured; the tegulz slightly brownish, impunctured; meta-
thorax with slightly heavier punctures, with a well defined, raised,
central line extending from base to apex; legs sparsely covered
with silvery pile, more dense on the tarsi; wings hyaline, the an-
terior pair with a darker apical margin iridescent; marginal cell
rounded beneath, acuminate at tip, the second recurrent nervure
received by the second submarginal cell near its apex; abdomen
smooth and shining, very finely punctured, the apical margins
of the first to fourth segment above with silvery pile, more dense
laterally, beneath, the second and third segments with sparse,
sericeous pile, more obvious on the posterior margins, venter
with a few long, black hairs. Length .18 inch.
One specimen. Camden County, N. J., July 29, 1890.
This is the first species of this genus known to occur in North
America, and should be placed in the Larride, after the genus
Pison. It can be distinguished by possessing only two submar-
* ginal cells.
? Photopsis Cressoni n. sp.
% .—Black; clothed with long, erect, pale hair; head finely
punctured; thorax distinctly punctured, much more strongly and
deeper on the dorsulum and scutellum; metathorax with very
large, deep punctures; subtruncate behind; wing's fuscous, nearly
hyaline at base, iridescent in certain lights, first recurrent nervure
received by the second submarginal cell, between its base and
middle, subcostal nervure incurved, so that it touches the costal
nervure; nervures and stigma black, the latter and the costal and
subcostal nervures very much so; abdomen shining, finely, but
not closely punctured, the second segment contracted at apex,
beneath the second segment is deeply punctured, the third to
seventh ventral segments almost entirely smooth, polished.
Length .25 inch.
One specimen, Camden County, N. J., Sept. 9, 1890.
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL, NEWS. 139
, ae Ses
This species is, I believe, the first known to have been captured
in the eastern United States, and can be at once distinguished by
its entirely black color. It belongs to Blake’s Division II, hav-
ing two submarginal cells, and the first segment of abdomen
being nearly sessile with the second.
It gives me great pleasure to dedicate this species to Mr. E.
T. Cresson, whose labors have done much to advance the study
of the North American Hymenoptera.
ray
OVIPOSITION OF ANOMALON sp.*
BY C. P. GILLETTE.
While passing an apple tree on August 18th, last, on which
; were a brood of Datana ministra larve about*one-third grown,
my attention was attracted by the presence of a large hymenop-
terous parasite busily ovipositing in their soff bodies, and, ap-
parently, much to their discomfort. The parasite was a large
black Anomalon sp. not in my col-
lection, unless, possibly, it is a va-
riety of A. pallitarse Cress. It dif-
fers from Cresson’s description of
this species by having its middle and
hind pairs of legs black, and its face, antenne and front pair of
legs entirely yellow.
___ This parasite was so intent upon her work that she did not
leave when I pulled the limb down close to my face so that I could
distinctly watch operations. The entire brood of larve were ap-
__ parently alarmed and were striking their heads violently from side
to side to frighten away their enemy. The parasite stood upon
_ a leaf in easy reach of a number of her victims watching their
| ~ movements, and, as soon as one became quiet enough, she would
quickly thrust it with her sharp ovipositor. The manner in
_ which this was done was what especially interested me. I had
_ supposed that these parasites would stand upon or above their
victims and thrust down upon them, but such was not her man-
ner. I was reminded of one who fences, and, with a quick thrust
straight in front, pierces his combatant. This insect stood upon
her two back pairs of legs, the front pair not being put to any
te
# * Read before the Iowa Academy of Science, at Des Moines, Sept. 5, 1890.
140 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ November,
use. The long abdomen was bent under the thorax and between
the legs, and the thrusts were made straight in front of the face.
As the abdomen was brought forward the short ovipositor pointed
straight in front like the index finger. See illustration.
The larve when pierced did not drop to the ground, but threw
their heads higher in the air and ejected a dark colored liquid.
So far as I saw but one egg was deposited in each.
ny
VU
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Fifth Paper.—THE THORAX, THE LEGs,
The second region of an insect’s. (imago’s) body is the thorax.
To it are usually attached three pairs of legs and two pairs of
wings. It is composed of three segments. The first segment,
articulating with the occiput in front, is the prothorax, which
bears the first pair of legs. The second segment is the mesothorax,
bearing the second pair of legs and the first pair of wings. The
third segment is the mefathorax, bearing the third pair of legs
and the second pair of wings.
Typically, each segment of the thorax consists primarily of
four parts, a dorsal part (¢ergum or nofum), a ventral part (ster-
nunc), and on each side, between the tergum and the sternum, a
pleurum.*
The prefixes pro-, meso- and meta- are used before notum and
sternum to denote the notum and sternum of the prothorax,
mesothorax and metathorax respectively.
‘The tergum of each thoracic segment is composed typically
of four sclerites. These are arranged in a linear series. They
are named, beginning with the first or most cephalic, Arescutum,
scutum, scutellum and post-scutellum. In the prothorax the su-
tures between these four sclerites are in many cases obsolete, the
pronotum appearing to be composed of a single sclerite. In
beetles and bugs the scutellum of the mesothorax is usually quite
conspicuous, appearing as a more or less nearly triangular piece
between the first pair of wings at their base. Most entomological
* Tergum, sternum and pleurum, with their adjectives tergal, sternal and pleural are
sometimes used to denote respectively the dorsal, ventral and lateral parts of the entire
body of an insect. In such cases the terms ¢ergite, sternite and pleurite, are applied to the
dorsal, ventral and lateral parts of each segment.
a a
1890. |
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
I4I
writers refer to this sclerite as ¢he scutellum. Of the four sclerites
a/b/C/a
@ :
SAN
Fig. 10. Diagram of a thoracic
segment (after Comstock).
@, prescutum; 4, scutum; c,
scutellum ; d, post scutellum; e,
episternum ; % epimeron ; g, par-
apteron ; 27, sternum; a, 4, cand d,
taken together form the tergum;
e, f and g, taken together form
which compose the tergal portion of
each thoracic segment, the scutum is
usually the largest; the scutellum is the
second in importance ; while the pre-
scutum and the post-scutellum are fre-
quently but little developed’’ (Comstock)
The sternum consists of but one
sclerite.
The sclerites of the pleurum are the
episternum and the epimeron, and some-
times a third, the parapieron. Their
position is shown in fig. 10. The par-
the pleurum.
and the wings.
_ Fig. 11. Leg of an
a, coxa; 4, trochanter;
¢, femur; d, tibia; ¢,
- tibial spurs ; 7, tarsus of
five joints; g, tarsal
nails.
or unguicult.
apteron in different groups of insects
has also been called the fegula, scapula
and patagium. The thoracic spiracles* pierce a small piece of
the pleurum called the Jerztreme.
Attached to the thorax are the organs of locomotion—the legs
The leg, or the foot of an insect, as it is indifferently called,
consists of five parts, the coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia and tarsus.
The: coxa, or hip joint, is the basal part, and is attached to its
thoracic segment near the lateral border of
the stérnum, sometimes so firmly as to be im-
movable. A smail sclerite is sometimes found
between the coxa and the epimeron, called
the ¢rochantin. The trochanter is between
the coxa and the femur, or thigh. The fourth
part is the tibia, or shank, and the terminal or
fifth part is the tarsus, consisting of from one
to six joints. Usually the leg of an insect is
armed with spines, or clothed with hairs.
The spines at the apex of the tibia are usually
longer than the others, and receive the dis-
tinctive name of “bial spines, or tibial spurs.
The last joint of the tarsus bears one or two farsal claws, nails,
On the ventral surface of the joints of the tarsus
are often ‘cushions of short hair or of membrane, capable of
* See page 71 of this volume of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
142 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ November,
inflation, or concave plates, which act so as to produce a vacuum
and thus enable the insect to walk on the lower surface of objects
(Comstock).’’ These cushions are termed pu/villi, or onychit.
The pulvillus of the last joint very often projects so as to appear
between the tarsal claws; it is he pulvillus. When, as sometimes
is the case, the last tarsal joint has two pulvilli, one under each
claw, there may be between them a third piece of similar structure
—the empodium.
The first pair of legs is directed forwards, the other two pairs
backwards. The first pair of legs is sometimes aborted, in which
case the second pair is directed forwards.
The true, or thoracic legs, may or may not exist in the larva.
When they do exist they are jointed. False, or abdominal legs,
are found both in larve and imagos, and will be referred to in
treating of the abdomen. ie ye
ENTOMOLOGY AT LONGPORT, N. J.
BY JOHN HAMILTON, M.D.
Longport is on the southern end of the island on which Atlantic
City is situate, from which it is distant about six miles. This
part of the island is narrow, and the space between the ocean and
the bay is a succession of sandhills without any extensive salt
marshes. The sides of many of these dunes and intervening
depressions support an interesting flora, much of which is strictly
maritime, and blooms during this month, attracting several spe-
cies of Lepidoptera and many beautiful Hymenoptera. The
native species of Coleoptera are few in comparison with the num-
ber on Brigantine Beach, where there are extensive salt meadows,
and where I could have taken two hundred or more species with
no more labor than was expended in collecting the forty-seven at
Longport. The species not formerly taken at Brigantine, for
which see Smith’s Catalogue of the Insects of New Jersey—were
Cicindela marginata Fab., which was somewhat abundant among
the sand-hills with vepanda and hirticollis; two forms of Cercyon
occurring together in great numbers in and under decaying sea-
grass deposited on sandy places by the bay tide, one of which,
on comparison with Swedish specimens, seems to be C. Littorale
Gyll., and the other apparently only differing by having the apex
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS... 143
of the elytra pale; Xantholinus pusillus Sachse, which greatly re-
sembles an undescribed maritime species from Florida, but which,
like emmesus, has only five punctures in the dorsal series of the
thorax; and Geotrupes Horni Blanch., dug from holes under
mushrooms on the main land. Several examples of Euphoria
areata Fab. were taken on the wing among the sand-hills on the
gth, roth and 11th, but none afterward.
The Lepidoptera and Orthoptera are the same as on Brigantine,
but here seems to be a metropolis of the larger aculeate Hymen-
optera—Apide, Andrenidz, Vespide, Sphecide, etc., but not
having studied this order much, I know few of the species. In-
spired with a sudden interest by reason of their great variety,
activity and beauty, I collected them one sunny afternoon, and
found I had twenty-seven species from one-half to two inches in
length—a beautiful collection. Stung? Of. course I got stung;
in fact, I was stung, I think, at least once by every species col-
lected, but the fascination of capturing such. charming creatures
is so great one does not greatly mind this after the first three or
four stings, as the sensibility of the thumb and finger of the hand
used in transferring them from the net to the bottle becomes
greatly obtused. The sensation produced by the sting of each
species is mostly appreciatively different, so much so, that with a
little experimenting, without seeing them, their differentiation
might not be difficult. The sting of such species as use this
organ merely defensively causes simply pain in varying degrees,
while that of such as use it in addition in the capture of prey,
produces, after the momentary pain of the thrust, a numbness
more or less paralizing to the hand, and often lasting a whole
day. To this class belongs the beautiful Mztzlla occidentalis,
whose sting is near half an inch in length, and the feeling it causes
so painful and persistently benumbing that, I confess, I would not
care to come in contact with it at close intervals.
Unlike the honey bee, these insects never leave a sting in the
wound, and the same individual can use this weapon any desired
number of times, an accomplishment that might be of some prac-
tical use in case stinging should be adopted as a remedial meas-
ure in Legitimate Medicine, as is quite possible. The honey bee
has often been used by empirics with good results, it is claimed,
in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, forms of local paraly-
sis and various diseases, and cases have lately been reported in
144 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ November,
medical journals by legitimate practitioners to the same effect,
but the honey bee might not be the most efficacious; in fact, each
species may be possessed of a different potentiality and better
adapted to the treatment of one disease than to that of another,
which might be readily determined by a little empirical experi-
menting, and quite probably the greatest remedial virtues would
be found in the species producing numb and paralyzing effects.
Treatment of this kind can best be conducted in a hospital, and
as Hymenoptera of the most desirable species are abundant in.
many places on the coast and easily cultivated, the establishment
there of an enkentric sanitarium is not a future improbability,
and in connection with pure ocean air, hot or cold sea-water
baths and other adjuvants, could scarcely be else than meritori-
ously popular.
a
VU
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREPARATORY STAGES
OF DATANA CONTRACTA Walker.
BY WM. BEUTENMULLER.
EcGc.—Same as that of Datana ministra Dr. Laid in masses
of twenty-five to fifty, on the underside of leaf.
YounG Larva.—I have made no record of this stage.
AFTER First Mou.t.—Head jet-black, shining, as is also the
cervical shield. Body brown, with four very pale yellow stripes
along each side and three beneath. Abdominal legs dull orange
with darker bands. Thoracic feet and anal clasps and plates jet-
black. .
AFTER SECOND MouLt.—Appearance yellow. Head same as
in the previous moult. Body more reddish brown, also the cer-
vical shield. The stripes are comparatively broad, the space
between being somewhat narrower. The feet are also reddish
brown, also the tips of the abdominal legs.
AFTER THIRD MouLt.—Head and cervical shield jet-black,
shining. Body color pitchy brown, covered sparsely with sordid
white hairs. The stripes are now sordid white and equidistant,
and as broad as the intervening spaces, except the dorsal space,
which is the widest. Body beneath concolorous to the above,
with the three stripes much narrower than the intervening spaces.
On the 4th, 5th, roth and 11th segments are two reddish brown
18go. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 145
patches. Abdominal legs reddish brown with black corneous
bands. Thoracic feet and anal clasp jet-black. Length 30 mm.
AFTER FourtH Mou.tt—WMature Larva.—The cervical shield
now becomes orange-yellow and the stripes creamy-white, other-
wise the same as in the previous stage. Length when full grown
55 mm. .
Foop PLANTS.—Various species of: Oaks (Quercus) Chestnut
( Castania) and Hickory (Hickoria). Single brooded.
‘Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
. of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
NOTICE,—Those who wish to continue their subscriptions to Ento-
mological News for the coming year, will please indicate their desire
to the Treasurer (see second page of cover) before January rst, next.
The price will be the ssame—One Dollar. We hope to make volume
2 even better than 1, and trust that our readers will do what they can to
help us do so.—Eb. :
Tue following four species of Pompilide were captured in the act of
carrying off spiders during the last season, viz.: Pompilus ethiops Cr.,
biguttatus Fab., marginatus Say, Priocnemis pomilius Cr.—W. J. Fox.
WE have received from Mr. Wiley, of Miles City, Mont., a fine photo-
graph of what is supposed to be the larva of Coloradia pandora Blake.
The caterpillar was found feeding on sage*brush. Mr. Wiley describes it
as follows: Mature larva.—Color all black, spines shiny and sting the hand
like Hyperchiria io. Pupa somewhat resembles zo, but smaller, and not
so robust. Pupa nearly black. Pupa rotted,
THE second annual meeting of the Association of Official Economic
Entomologists will be held at the University Buildings, Champaign, III.,
November 11th to 15th, proximo, at the same time and place as the meet-
ing of the Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations.
The committee on Entomology of the latter association will meet at the
same time. Members expecting to attend will confer a favor upon the
officers if ‘they will announce the fact, and will send titles of papers to be
read, or topics they desire discussed, to the Secretary. All are earnestly
urged to be present if possible.—J. B. Smitu, Sec., New Brunswick, N. J.
146 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [November,
ALLow me to call your attention to an error which appeared in ENTo-
MOLOGICAL News for May, and which I think is worth correcting. The
Erebia which Mr. J. D. Evans collected at Sudbury, in 1889, was not epip-
sodea, but discoidalis, a much rarer species, and hitherto only taken many
degrees further North. Mr. Evans took five specimens in all, and all on
the same day, and one or two were also taken by Dr. E. D. Peters, Jr.
I have recently heard from Mr. Evans in reference to his collecting during
the past season, but no specimens of this interesting species were obtained
there this year. H. H. LyMan.
] DESIRE to state in regard to my own observations of the cocoons of
Callosomia angulifera, that during the Winter of 1889-90, I collected, on
the Catawissa Mountain at an altitude of 1800 feet, 77 cocoons of what I
supposed to be C. promethea, all of which were suspended on Sassafras
and Wild Cherry by a silken cord covering the foot-stalk of the leaf and
firmly attached to the twig. Of these 12 did not hatch; from 29 there
emerged ichneumon parasites, and from the remaining 36 I succeeded in
obtaining 27 promethea and 9 angulifera, all females. I never looked for
or found a cocoon of angudifera on the ground. STEPHEN BALpy,
; Catawissa, Pa.
DRAGONFLIES CONGREGATING AT N1GHT.—Prof. D. S. Kellicott, of the
Ohio State University, Columbus, O., writes, in a letter of Sept. 16, 1890,
‘In your observations of Dragonflies, have you found them congregating
at night? In July last I met, several times, with an interesting case.
Heterina americana, as I suppose, I have not compared the descriptions
of Walsh’s species, along the Shiawassee River, Michigan, gathers in
great numbers on plants overhanging the river. I often gathered from
twenty to thirty by one sweep of the net. Sexes mingled, males more
numerous.”’ (with Prof. Kellicott’s permission.—P. P. C.)
EDWARD BAMBRICK, 32 years, of Lagrange, near Bustleton, died on
Wednesday, of blood poisoning, caused by the bite of a green caterpillar,
Nearly a fortnight ago Bambrick told Policeman Ashton, of Bustleton,
that he had been bitten on the neck by a green caterpillar as he lay on the
grass in front of his own home. The creature inflicted what seemed an
insignificant puncture, which bled freely. He did not heed the wound
until some time after, when Dr. Beyer was called in. Medical skill failed
to overcome the poison, and the patient died.— Philadelphia Press.
Any other irritant would have acted in the same way, the fault was in
the individual.—Ep.
OBITUARY.
PETER MAASEN, of Elberfield and Dusseldorf, died on August 2d, in
his eightieth year. Mr. Maasen was well known through his writings on
Saturnidz, of which he made a specialty.
Mr. C. G. HALL died September 3d, at Bucland, Dover, England.
WE have received notice of the death of Mr. C. Zeiller, of Regensberg,
Bavaria. ;
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1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 147
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be limited to twelve (12) for each sending ; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of
transportation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological
Society; 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may
be announced accordingly. Such identifications as can be given will be published, acccrd-
ing to number, in the issues of the News. Address packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws,
Academy Natural Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Entomological Literature.
_ JOURNAL OF THE AsIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, vol. xix, part 2, 1890.
—Suppl. No. 1, Catalogue of the Insecta of the Oriental Region. No. 2,
Family Carabide, E. T. Atkinson.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, vol.
iv, pt. 3d.—Rhopalocera from Mt. Kosciusko, New South Wales, by A.
Sidney Oliff. New species of Lampyridz, including a notice of the Mt.
Wilson Fire-fly, by A. Sidney Oliff. Further notes on Australian COLE-
OPTERA, with descriptions of new genera and species, pt. 4, by Rev. T.
Blackburn. Diptera, pt. 7, the Tipulidze brevipalpi, by Fred. A. A.
Skuse, vol. iv, pt. 4th. A revision of the Australian species of Aup/aa,
with synonymic notes and descriptions of new species, by W. H. Meskin.
On Queensland and other Australian MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA, with localities
and descriptions of new species, by Thomas P. Lucas. Descriptions of
additional Australian Pyralidina, by E. Meyrick. Revision of Australian
LEPIDOPTERA, pt. 3, by E. Meyrick. Revision of the genus Heferonyx,
with descriptions of new species, by Rev. T. Blackburn. Notes on Aus-
tralian COLEOPTERA, with descriptions of new species, pt. 4, by Rev. T.
Blackburn. Studies in Australian Entomology—No. 2, Six new species
of Carabidz, by Thomas G. Sloane.
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL History, vol. vi, No. 33.—Notes
on Longicorn CoLEopPTERA of the group Cerambycidz, with descriptions
of new genera and species, by Charles J. Gahan. Descriptions of new
species of African Lyczenidz, chiefly from the collections of Dr. Staud-
inger and Henley Grose Smith, by W. F. Kirby.
THE AppLE Maccot, 77ypeta pomonella.—A consideration of the lit-
erature, history, distribution, transformation, life-history and habits of this
insect; also remedies. The results of investigations made in 1888-89, by
F. L. Harvey, M.S. This interesting paper is fully illustrated by four
plates, with a number of figures.
New Types oF COCKROACHES FROM THE CARBONIFEROUS DEPOSITS
OF THE U. S.—New carboniferous Myriapoda from Illinois. Illustrations
of the carboniferous Arachnida of North America, of the orders Anthra-
comarti and Pedipalpi. The insects of the Triassic beds at Fairplay,
148 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [November, .
Col., from Memoirs Boston Society Natural History, by S. H. Scudder,
72 pages and 12 fine plates ; new genera and species are described.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST, October, 1890.—Additions to the British list of
Deltoids, Pyralides, Crambi, since 1859 (with plates), by Richard South.
Abundance of LEPIDOPTERA in New Zealand, by W. W. Smith. Notes
on Teniocampa opima, by J. Arkle. Contributions to the chemistry of
insect colors, by F. H. Perry Coste. The Westman Islands, by Rev. Dr.
F. A. Walker. The alteration of the name of Indian Geometrid Moth,
by A. G. Butler. Entomological papers in Continental Periodicals, by
W. Warren. Entomological notes, captures, etc. Doings of Societies,
Reviews.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE, October, 1890.—Classifi-
cation (concluded), by A. F. Griffith. Occurrence of Plusia moneta Fab.
in Great Britain, by C. G. Barrett. udepia cribrum. by Rev. E. N.
Bloomfield. Apatura isis by J. E. Mason. Note on the food of Drymo-
nia dodonea, by W. R. Jeffrey. Re-occurrence of Epischnia Bankesieila
at Portland, by N. M. Richardson.- Occurrence in Dorset of S. sudbse-
guana, H. and M. rufimitrana H. S., id.. Notes from the Red Sea, by J.
J. Walker. The life-history of the new 7inagma (7. betul@) of the Birch,
by J. H. Wood. Description of 7. detule n. sp., by H. T. Stainton.
Some remarks on the genus Xy/ophilus, with descriptions of two new
species from Japan, by G. C. Champion. Two species of Psocide new
to Britain, by R. McLachlan. 4schnua juncea L. near Ringwood, id.
Gymnancyla canella in September, by A. E. Hall. Aplota palpella in
Wilts, by E. Meyrick. Hybernation of Simethis pariana, by B. A.
Bower. Gyrinus urinator at Swange, by C. H. Goodman. Carabus
glabratus Payk. in Ireland, by Rev. Canon Fowler. Cvreophilus maxil-
losus Vv. ciliaris Steph., by H, S. Donnisthorpe. Azthous rhombeus Ol. at
Cobham Park, by J. Malings. Note on Scop@us erichsoni and Hodro-
porus davisii, by W. G. Blatch. Coleoptera in the New Forest, by Rev.
Theo. Wood. Quedius tristis predaceous, by Prof. W. R. Kilburne.
Obituary. Societies.
THE YouNG NATUuRALIsT, October, 1890.—The Pterophorina, by J. W.
Tuft. Coleoptera at Guestling, by A. Ford. Pieris brassice pupe lying
over, by James Dixon. Lithosia sericea, by Joseph Collins. Nonagria
typhe, by G. Pullen. Aydecia petasites, by Joseph Collins. Noctua
dohiti, by A. E. Hall. Agrotis agathina, by Joseph Collins: Rumia
crategata, var., by A. E. Hall. Hawk moths, by C. W. Dale.
MEMOIRES SUR LES LEPIDOPTERES REDIGEs par N. M. Romanoff, tome
4. Le Pamir et La Faune Lepidopterologique par Gr. Groum-Grshimailo.
Illustrated with 21 magnificent colored plates with many figures, 575 pp.
St. Petersburg, 1890.
RECUEIL ZOOLOGIQUE SutssE, v, No. 2, July, 1890.—The histological
disposition of the pigment in the eyes of Arthropods under the influence
of direct light and of complete obscurity, by Mlle. M. Stefanowska, 2 pl.
ee ee
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1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 149
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Sept. 1, 1890.—On a peculiar organ in the
embryo of Locustidz, by W. M. Wheeler.
JAHRBUCH DES NATURHISTORISCHEN LANDES-MUSEUMS VON KARNTEN
20 heft, Klagenfurt, 1889.—The Lepidoptera of the Lavantthal, and of
both Alps Kor and Saualpe, by G. Héfher. On Carinthian Hymenop-
tera,* by E. Liegel. .
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZOOLOGIE, L, 1890.—Re-
searches on the Structure of Spermatozoa: The spermatozoa of insects.
(I. Coleoptera), by E. Ballowitz, 4 plates. The development of the
sexual organs and the intestine in Chironomus, by R. Ritter, 1 plate.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, Nos. 17 and 18, September, ’go.
—New West African Orthoptera from Kribi, collected by H. Lieut. Mor-
gen,* F. Karsch; 4 woodcuts; Morgenia, Mateus, Chondrodera, Licheno-
chrus, Mormotus, Liocentrum, Opisthodicrus, Tomias, Lagarodes, Sten-
ampyx, Pantecphylus, Polyglochin, Habrocomes, new gen. Synopsis of
the trispinous species of Sphenoptera of Europe and the Caucasus,* by
E. Reitter. A Review of Scudder’s Butterflies of the Eastern United
States and Canada, by A. Speyer.
SITZUNGSBERICHTE DER NATURFORSCHER GESELLSCHAFT BEI DER
UNIvERSITAT Dorpat, ix, 1 heft (1889), 1890.—Four papers on Livonian
Diptera, by H. Sintenis. Observations on Tardigrada, by H. Rywosch.
MITTHEILUNGEN DER SCHWEIZERISCHEN ENTOMOLOGISCHEN GESELL-
sCHAFT, viii, No. 5, August, 1890.—Three papers on Swiss Bombus, by
‘Frey-Gessner. Notes on Swiss Neuroptera, by F. Ris. Two new genera.
of Tryphonidz,* by Dr. Kriechbaumer; Aethalodes, Bremian. gen. (from
Europe). Diptera Helvetia, by Dr. G. Schoch; 1st part. Coleoptera
Helvetiz, by Dr. Stierlin (continued).
BOLLETINO DEI MuSEI DI ZOOLOGIA ED. ANATOMIA COMPARATA DELLA
R. UNIVERSITA DI TorINo, N. 78.—Diagnoses of new species of Diptera
[from Italy]*, by Dr. Giglio-Tos.
No. 84.—New species of Diptera from the Zoological Museum of To-
rino,* by Dr. Giglio-Tos; 1 plate; Ditomyia zonata, D. mexicana, Orizaba,
Mexico, n. sp., figs. 6 and 7.
No. 85.—On a mode of preserving the larve of Lepidoptera with their
colors, by F. Crosa.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Sept. 15, 1890.—Some observations con-
cerning the closed tracheal system in insect larvee by Dr. H. Dewitz.
VERHANDLUNGEN DER K. K. ZOOLOGISCH-BOTANISCHEN GESELL-
SCHAFT IN WIEN xl, 1 quartal, 1890.—Monograph of the Proscopidz,*
by C. Brunner. v. Wattenwyl; 3 plates; Prosarthria, Apioscelis, Cory-
-norhynchus, Tetanorhynchus, Stiphra, Tazxiarchus, Anchotatus, Epi-
grypa n. gen.; all the species are from South America. A new species.
of Tenthredinid,* and Apide frequenting Brassica oleracea L, by Dr. R.
Cobelli. Determination table of the Parnidz of Europe, the Mediterra-
nean fauna and the bordering districts, by A. Kuwert.
* Contains new species other than North American.
150 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ November,
Doings of Societies.
A regular meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of
Natural Sciences was held at the Hall September 25th. Meeting called to
order at 8.20 P.M. In the absence of the Director, Dr. Horn, Mr. Mar-
tindale occupied the chair. Members present: Messrs. Ridings, Laurent
and Skinner. Associates: Welles, Calvert, Westcott, Liebeck, Castle,
Seeber and Fox. A number of specimens were presented to the cabinet,
among them being Avg. montinus and C. mandan from Mr. S. H. Scudder.
Mr. Calvert presented determinations of the species of Odonata brought
home by the expedition sent to Mexico by the Academy. Mr. Laurent
reported the capture of C. serena and Apatela funeralis at the electric
light. Mr. Martindale spoke of the great scarcity of species of Catocala
this Summer, and reported finding P. ayaa and the larve of Phobetron —
pithecium and Tolype velleda. He had had success in capturing moths
by rubbing rotting bananas on trees to attract them. Mr. Welles reported
the capture of Vanessa /-album and Cat. unijuga from Elwyn, Delaware
County, Pa. He had seen Feniseca tarquinius greatly attracted to a per-
spiring individual. Mr. C. W. Johnson, of the Wagner Institute, was
elected an associate. : HENRY SKINNER,
, Recorder.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 1890.—Under
the head ‘‘short communications and exhibition of specimens,’’ Mr. Heide-
mann spoke of the occurrence' of Cylapus tenuicornis (Capsidze) near
Washington, D. C., and Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of Choragus
nitens (Anthribidze) lately found in the District, also a branch of Carpinus
infested in a peculiar way by the larvee of Acoptus suturalis (Curculionide)
and a specimen of Hymenarcys nervosa with deformed antennz, and he
also called attention to the reported discovery of the stylopized Gryllo-
talpas in eastern Africa. Dr. Marx reported having found specimens of
Latrodectus under a board, devouring carabids—the webs of the spider
being garnished with fragments of the beetles. As possibly throwing
light on the subject, Prof. Riley mentioned having been greatly surprised
this Summer at the large number of insects, Lachnosterna, Xylocopa,
Bombus, etc., that he found about his ground$ at Sunbury, with large per-
forations and apparently killed by birds, and probably the house wren.
Mr. Fox thought that spiders were largely responsible for this work. Prof.
Riley described his recent investigations into the life-history and habits of
Sphecius speciosus, exhibiting specimens of the egg 7 situ on Cicadas,
and of the young and full-grown larve and cocoons. Careful drawings
were shown illustrating the different stages and habits of Sphecius.
Mr. Schwarz queried, in view of the earlier appearance of the C. sep-
tendecim, whether Sphecius ever preyed on that species. Prof. Riley
showed that the period of Septendecim and Sphecius overlapped, and that
the general belief that Sphecius attacked the seventeen-year locust, while
not based, so far as he recalled, on observation, was probably well founded.
n .
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1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I51
Mr. Howard exhibited specimens of sand cricket, Stenope/matus fas-
ciatus, which had been recently sent to Prof. Riley by one of the corre-
spondents. Mr. Howard stated that they occurred abundantly in the
southwest, and are reported errofieously to be“extremely poisonous. As
stated by Prof. Riley, in the ‘“Standard Natural History,” they are car-
nivorous in habit.
Mr. Mann described some observations and experiments relating to the
longevity of decapitated specimens of Caloptenus, and the vigorous re-
sistance of such specimens to the attacks of ants.
Mr. Schwarz, ‘‘On Black Locust Insects,’’ presented a list of twenty-
four species of Coleoptera bred by him in May from dying trunks of Black
Locust, and spoke of the principal insect enemies of this tree in the Dis-
trict. Discussed by Messrs. Riley and Howard.
Mr. Schwarz also read a paper on the food habits of some Scolytide
observed by him during the Summer. Galleries of the following species
were exhibited and explained: Xvyloterus politus in Acer dasycarpum;
Xyleborus furcatus and pubescens in Walnut; Cnesinus strigicollis in Li-
guidambar styracifilua. C. L. MARLATT,
; Recording Secretary.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE A. A. A. S. OF
INDIANAPOLIS, 1890.—The Club met in regular session on August 2oth,
9g A. M., room 11, in the State House. President, Prof. A. J. Cook, in the
chair. There were present through the meeting, Messrs. Chas. Robertson,
Clarence M. Weed, E. W. Clatpole, James Troop, F. S. Earle, L. H.
Pammel, Herbert Osborn, John Marten, H. Garman, Geo. F. Atkinson,
Charles W. Hargitt, Thomas Hunt, John W. Spencer, W. B. Alwood, J.
Fletcher, F. M. Webster, W. W. Norman, S. G. Evans. W. S. Blachley,
Truman P. Catter, Ralph St. F. Perry, Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt, Miss
Augusta Murtfeldt, Mrs. K. B. Claypole, Mrs. O. Hanney.
The President proceeded to deliver a most interesting address upon
Teaching of Entomology.
Dr. C. Weed then read a paper upon the life-history of the evening
Primrose Curculio (7y/oderma foveolatum). He reported breeding a
species of Bracon from the larve of the Curculio, and recorded observa-
tions upon the habits of both insects.
At the request of the President, Mr. Fletcher presented some notes
‘upon the injuries caused by the Hessian Fly, the wheat stem maggot and
an undetermined species of Oscinis. He stated that he had been studying
these insects at Ottawa, Can., during the last four years.
A paper on the subject of American Silk Spinners, by Mr. Edward L.
Graef, was read by the Secretary, of which the following is an abstract:
‘Refers to the periodical, phenomenal increase of some species of in-
sects and their sudden disappearance. Speaks of the adaptability of the
cocoons of Z. cecropia Linn. for the manufacture of silk, and of the firmer
belief of the writer in the possibility of the creation of an American in-
dustry in the rearing of their larve for manufacturing purposes. Solicits
152 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [November,
plans for the profitable rearing of the larve of this, or other American
silk spinners. Also for preparing their cocoons. Offers a prize ($50.00)
for this purpose.’
An interesting paper was read by Dr. C. M. Weed, the subject of which
was ‘‘ The food plants of the Clover Stem Borer (Languria moa-andi).
Fifteen species of the plants were ae: on which the larve is known
to feed.
Prof. Osborn followed with a paper on a peculiar: Coleopterous larva
infesting the stems of plants.
Dr. Weed presented a short paper upon the oviposition of Zistronotus
latiusculus. The eggs are laid in bunches of five to ten on the leaf stalks
of Sagittaria variabilis, and are covered with bits of epidermis chewed
up by the adult beetle.
Mr. Charles Robertson made some remarks upon the habits of Zmphor
bombiliformis, which he stated was apparently a special visitor of Aiibis-
cus. The nests were constructed by burrowing in the ground, and, in
order to facilitate the excavation, water was frequently carried to the hole
with which the bottom was moistened. Sometimes but one pellet of earth
would be carried out after an application of water, while in some cases he
had observed as many as four of these pellets thrown out immediately
following an application.
Miss Mary E. Muftfeldt read a charming paper entitled, “Some expe-
riences in rearing insects.’’ In this paper some valuable hints were given
as to the best way to manage larve so as to carry them to maturity, and
the most frequent causes of failure were mentioned. The paper was
listened to with great attention by all present.
The Secretary proceeded to read the following paper. upon “‘ The Pre-
paratory Stages of Eustrotia caduca,” by D. S. Kellicott, of Columbus, O.
Prof. Cook presented a note upon a new breeding habit in Agrotis CG
nigrum. He had found the eggs on the foliage of currant bushes and
reared the larvze thereon.
Prof. Osborn read an interesting paper on the — of incubation of
Mallophaga.
Mr. S. F. Earle presented several interesting notes on some injurious
insects of southern Mississippi. Diabrotica 12-punctata was a very abun-
dant insect, and, in addition to its well-known food-plants, it also fed to
an injurious extent upon the foliage of peach and also cabbage. Cut-
worms were very injurious in gardens. A species of Aphis worked seri-
ous injury to the cucumber and melon veins. Pieris rape is exceedingly
destructive. Doryphora ro-lineata had not yet reached southern Missis-
sippi. Sphinx larvze were very destructive to the foliage of tomatoes and
the boll worm to the fruit.
(To be continued. )
F. H. WEBSTER,
Secretary.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws for October was mailed October 2, 1890.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL, I. DECEMBER, 1890. No. Io.
CON TERS:
French—Another Tropical Species of ; Liebeck—Cicindelidz of a Season........ 158
Lepidoptera in Florida............ ....- 153. Notes and News 160
Holland—African Hesperide............... 155. Entomological Literature............... 000+ 162
P. P. C.—Elementary Entomology....... 157 i GMS OF Societies... ...iGB2~n<...sncesee0.. 167
ANOTHER TROPICAL SPECIES OF LEPIDOPTERA
IN FLORIDA.
By G. H. Frencu, Carbondale, III.
In the September number of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, p. 105,
Mr. Dyar describes two species of insects new to our fauna, Ca/-
lidryas statira and Composia jfidelissima. 1 have had for about
a year another species of Composza collected in Florida by Prof.
Velie, of Chicago, during the Winter of 1888 and 1889, and sent
to me by my friend, Mr. W. E. Longley, of the same city. Not
having the means of identifying the specimen I sent a colored
print of it to Mr. A. G. Butler, of London, who writes that it is
Composia olympia Butl. From comparison of Mr. Dyar’s de-
scription with my specimen it seems to be closely related to C.
jidelissima. The following figure and description will show the
points of difference.
Composia olympia Butl. Expanse 2.5 inches. Black, the fore
wings with three bright scarlet, nearly quadrate spots between
the costal and subcostal veins, extending from the base to the
middle of the cell; a square white spot beyond the third sc@rlet
one; just beyond the end of the cell a transverse row of six white
spots of varying size, the last the largest and a little below the
Io
ww
s
iL»
154 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ December,
line of the others, the fifth the smallest; beyond this row and
about half way to the apex is another row of four white spots,
the last out of line of the others; a small spot at the posterior
angle; all of these transverse spots more or less rounded. In
the cell are two nar-
row bars that do not
quite reach from vein
to vein, the outer
white, but the inner
white, strongly
washed with scarlet.
The hind wings
have a_ subterminal
row of nine white
spots, the first, fourth and ninth, small; the second largest. The
fore wings show blue reflection in oblique light in the cell up to
near the first bar, in the outer part of the cell about the end, at
the base below the cell and along the posterior margin. In the
same light the hind wings show blue reflection above the sub-
costal vein almost to the apex, in the cell to its end, below the
cell and lower branch of submedian vein to the outer margin.
Head with eight white dots; back of antenne, below antennz,
above the eye and back of the eye. Collar with a row of six
white dots. Thorax with six white dots on the anterior part and
a row of four pale yellow dots across the posterior. Abdomen
blue by reflection.
Beneath, the white spots of the upper side repeated, the space
of the scarlet spots solid scarlet and confluent with the first bar
in the cell, this bar having no white in it as it has above. The
blue reflection is more pronounced than it is on the upper surface.
The abdomen is banded with pale yellow and black, the terminal
pale band whitish.
According to Mr. Butler this seems as yet to be a rare species,
though Prof. Velie took about a dozen recently. The type speci-
men was from Brazil; it has been taken in Central America and
once before at Key West, Fla.
ALETIA ARGILLACEA Hiib., was seen sparingly the last week in Sep-
tember at Columbus, O. I have not yet seen it in abundance here, whilst
at Buffalo, N. Y., scarcely an Autumn passes without the appearance of
many. If my observations accord with facts, why the greater abundance
at the point so much further from the cotton fields?p—D. S. KELLICOTT.
3
,
ae ee
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155
Description of three new Species of African Hesperide.
BY. REV. W. J. HOLLAND.
The appended descriptions are all of species belonging to the
genus Proteides Hiib. I hope shortly to be able to publish figures
of these and a number of other species.
1. Proteides margaritata n. sp.
Allied to P. erinnys Trim. Upperside: Anzeriors broadly dark
brown, clothed with greenish yellow hairs at the base, and having
the following markings: three small subapical spots arranged in
a series curving outwardly from the costa toward the external
margin, a quadrate spot at the end of the cell, a square spot
beyond the end of the cell between the second and third median
nervules, below this between the first and second median nervules
a spot resembling an hour- ~glass, and between the first median
nervule and the submedian vein two triangular spots, of which
the one nearest the base is obscure, being overlaid by the green-
ish hairs which cover the base. All of these spots are vitreous.
Posteriors with the outer third and anterior margin broadly dark
brown, cell and middle area pale orange, covered with greenish
hairs at the base and intersected by the dark brown nervules.
The outer margin at the anal angle is broadly orange red.
Underside: Anéeriors fuscous, clouded with deep black at the
apex and the middle of the dise, and broadly stramineous on the
inner margin. The subapical area is irrorated with minute white
scales. The spots of the upper surface reappear, but are not so
distinct and sharply defined; the subapical series and the spot at
the end of the cell are surmounted toward the costa by broad
spots of nacreous. The end of the cell is also defined by a very
narrow line of the same color. /osteriors of the same color as
the primaries, clouded with dark brown on the outer third, and
having the middle area ornamented by a very broad and irregular
spot of pearly white. The anal angle is more narrowly orange
than the upper surface; the upper surface of the abdomen is fus-
cous, annulated with pale yellow; the lower surface of the abdo-
men is not so distinctly annulated with pale gray. Antenne
black upon the upper side, fuscous below. Expanse of wings
48 mm.
ffab.—Valley of the Ogove. Type in coll. Holland.
156 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [December, .
2. P. iricolor n. sp.
Upperside uniformly dark brown, showing in certain lights a
golden-green gloss. Fringe at the anal angle of the posteriors
broadly white.
Underside: Axferiors with the anterior margin and the apical
third violet-green. The lower half of the cell and the middle
third of the wing is brown without any iridescence, and the pos-
terior margin is very broadly pearly-white. There is a crimson
spot on the costa at the base. /osteriors violet-green, with a
beautiful iridescence in certain lights, the violet tints deepest to-
ward the inner margin and the anal angle, where the wing inclines.
to black. There is a crimson spot at the base, two longitudinal
spots of velvety-black in the cell, and a discal series of rounded
spots of the same color, of which the one nearest the anal angle
is bifid. The fringes at the anal angle are white, as upon the
upper surface. The head, thorax and abdomen are of the same
color as the wings upon the upper side; the lower side of the ab-
domen is ochreous. The antennz are black above and ochreous
below. Expanse of wings 55 mm.
Hab.—Valley of the Ogove. Type in coll. Holland
3. P. laterculus n. sp.
Allied to the preceding, but smaller.
Upperside: The entire upperside of the wingle head, thorax
and abdomen, is dark brown. The fringes of the posteriors near
the anal angle are light fuscous.
Underside: The ground color is the same as upon the upper —
surface; the inner margin of the primaries is broadly white. The
base and middle area of the secondaries is brick-red; there is a
large circular spot of velvety-black at the end of the cell in the
secondaries, and a series of five discal spots of the same color
following this. The series is interrupted opposite the cell, the
three largest spots being placed after the third median nervule.
The fringes at the anal angle, and the tip of the abdomen on the
underside are stramineous. Expanse of wings 38 mm.
Flab.—Valley of the Ogove. Type in coll. Holland.
(To be continued. )
o-
———————— US — ee eee.
=
1890.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 157
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Sixth Paper.—THE WINGs.
The wings of an insect are membranous expansions of the body
wall. They first appear in the pupal or later nymphal stages as
flat, sac-like projections near the lateral borders of the terga of
the meso- and metathorax. As the wings develop, the greater
part of the dorsal and ventral walls of this flat sac become closely
united. Along certain lines, both the dorsal and ventral walls
become thickened. These lines are so situated that when the
union of the two walls takes place, those on the dorsal wall coin-
cide with those on the ventral wall; they thus form the frame-work
of the wings, and are called veins, nerves, or nervures. Many
veins enclose a tube formed by the union of two grooves, placed
one on the inner or opposing side of each of the two thickened lines.
Through these tubes blood circulates; often a trachea exists in
the centre of this tube. The veins or nerves of an insect’s wing
do not correspond to the similarly named parts of higher animals.
That part of the wing by which it is attached to the thorax is
the dase. The shape of the wing is roughly triangular; its three
edges, borders, or margins, receive distinctive names; the front
edge is also called the costa/ margin, or simply the costa; the outer
edge is also termed afica/, the remaining border is known as the
inner, hind, or ana/ margin. ~The apex of the wing is the angle
where the front and outer margins meet. The inner and outer
margins meet at the And or ana/ angle.
All the veins of a wing taken collectively constitute the venation,
neuration, or reticulation. The venation is regular, and although
differing very much in various groups of insects, is based on a
general plan. Five (or more) large veins run from the base
towards the apical border, diverging from each other. These
veins branch; at right angles to these large veins and their
branches are other short veins. The branches of the large veins
are sometimes known as sectors. Each litttle area or space of the
wing, bounded by veins, is called a cel/, or cellule. No general
nomenclature has yet been established for the venation of all the
groups of insects; for each group a special nomenclature is in use.
The front wings may be specialized so as to form protective
covers for the hind wings. In beetles and earwigs the front wings
158 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
are thick and horny, and are termed elytra. In water-bugs and
others, they are similar to elytra, but the apical part is membra-
nous, hence their name of hemelyira. In grasshoppers and katy- —
dids they are leathery, or parchment-like, and are called zegmina.
Many insects, even of those groups which, as a general rule,
undergo a complete transformation, are wingless. Sometimes
only the front wings are present; the hind wings are then usually
represented by a pair of small club-shaped organs—the ha/teres,
balancers, or potsers—as in the common house-fly. Rarely the
hind wings only are present, in which case the front wings are’
represented by organs similar to the halteres, but distinguished
from them as pseudo-halteres. P. P..C.
oO
Vv
CICINDELIDA OF A SEASON.
BY CHAS, LIEBECK.
This has been the most successful season for Cicindele that
has occurred during my experience in Coleoptera collecting.
Of nineteen species and varieties occurring in eastern Pennnsyl-
vania and southern New Jersey, fourteen have been taken by me
this season.
The species follow in order as they are listed, with some refer-
ence to their occurrence during former years.
Tetracha virginica Linn.—Nocturnal in habits, a few specimens
being taken in open fields under boards and fence rails, middle
of July, at Abington, Pa. te
Cicindela unipunctata Fab. —Reported as occurring at Atco
and Woodstown, N. J. One of the species not taken this season.
C. modesta Dej.—Not taken as abundantly this season as in
previous years, but scattered individuals taken in May, June and
July, in all sections of southern New Jersey, in which any col-
lecting was done. Two days in May, 1887, over one hundred
specimens were taken in a space, not more than sixty feet square,
below Gloucester, N. J. A second brood appears in September.
C. 6-guttata Fab.—Twelve or fifteen specimens were taken
under the bark of fallen trees along the banks of Cobb’s Creek,
Philadelphia, early in April, and a number on the wing the first
week in May. Some have also been taken in July.
4 C. patruela Dej.—Occurs at Lancaster, Pa.; not taken this
season.
— eo
—— te ie i
18go. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 159
C. consentanea Dej.—Occurred several years ago below Glou-
cester, N. J.,. but none taken in that locality recently. Collected
by Dr. Hamilton, at Absecorh, N. J., in September.
C. purpurea Oliv.—A common species occurring in May and
June in almost every locality. Several specimens were captured
on the wing at DaCosta, N. J., March 15, 1886, on sandy spots
along the line of the railroad, when ice and snow still lay un-
melted between the ties.
all C. generosa Dej.—Taken during May and June at Westville,
é
Atco and Hammonton, N. J.; most abundant the last week in
May, but few being taken the latter part of June.
C. vulgaris Say.—Isolated specimens taken at different times
during the season at Philadelphia, Pa.; and Landisville,-N. J.
One specimen was taken in company with C. purpurea at Da-
Costa, March 15, 1886.
C. repanda Dej.—An early species common everywhere.
C. r2-guttata Dej.—Usually found on the banks of small streams
early in May; abundant locally.
C. hirticollis Say.—Found on a small beach on the Delaware
River below Gloucester, N. J., and everywhere along the beach
at the sea-shore, where the white sand mingles with the mud of
the meadows and forms a composition of a dark hue. May,
June and July.
C. punctulata Fab.—An abundant species throughout the whole
‘season everywhere. Taken without intervals from May to Sep-
tember. Often attracted to the electric lights at night.
C. tortuosa Dej.—I know of but two specimens ever taken in
New Jersey several years ago at Atlantic City, one by Dr. Castle
and the other by myself, and have not yet been able to determine
whether they actually inhabit this district, or were only accidental
introductions.
C. dorsalis Say.—A very common species at the sea-shore,
along the water’s edge, where sometimes hundreds can be seen
within the scope of the eye. Most abundant in July; sometimes
an all white variety is taken.
C. marginata Fab.—I found these on the meadows between
Sea Isle City, N. J., and the main shore, inhabiting the dry, bare
spots, quite abundant in the latter part of July. Have never
noticed this species in the sand-hills or on the beach.
C. lepida Dej.—A species peculiar to the sand-hills along the
160 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ December,
New Jersey coast. It has, to my knowledge, been taken in all
the hills from Atlantic City to Cape May; occurs during the latter
part of July, and is, owing to its color and the intense whiteness
of the sand, both difficult to see and to capture.
C. marginipennis Dej.—A species occurring in the mountain
districts of eastern Pennsylvania, of which I know very little,
not having taken any specimens.
C. abdominalis Fab.—Has frequently been reported as occurring
at DaCosta, N. J., and although I have made it a point for several
years to be in that neighborhood at the time of its appearance,
have never, until this season, been fortunate enough to see any.
During the last week in June ten or twelve specimens were seen
between Hammonton aid DaCosta, N. J., the majority of which
were captured. It frequents the wagon-roads through the woods,
and does not confine itself to any particular locality as other Ci-
cindelz do, those that were observed being scattered in ones and
twos over the entire distance.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
{The Conductors of ENToMOLOGICAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive item
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
NOTE ON THE MOLTING OF PHOBETRON PITHECIUM, S. and A.—A larva
of this species was observed to molt in the following manner: When pre-
paring to cast its skin it rested on a leaf, the head withdrawn beneath
joint 2 in the usual position-of rest of larve of this group. The skin ap-
peared loose, the long subdorsal processes shrunken, especially at the
bases, there tips transparent from the partial withdrawal of the inner part.
The larva jerked itself and rocked from side to side till the skin broke
along the dorsal line from the head to the last segment simultaneously.
As the chitinous part of the head of this insect does not extend up as far
as in other subfamilies of Bombycide; the new head was readily with-
drawn and the larva extricated itself from its skin by a lateral oscillatory
movement, at the same time walking forward a little, which served to
draw out the subdorsal processes from their old enclosing skin. They
were bent backward by the operation nearly in line with the body, and
were seen to be attached to the body bya slight white filament, but it
————— OO
roy
.
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 161
was not observed whether they were attached to the anterior or posterior
edge of a segment (they are situated over each segmental suture between
joints 3-13 inclusive, the last pair very small). As the new processes are
withdrawn from inside the old ones and not formed under the body skin
like the hairs of the Arctiinz, it will be seen that a process once lost can-
not*be replaced, and, in the present instance, four of the normal twenty
were lacking both before and after the molt. As this larva is well known,
I will not enter upon a detailed description of it here, but will remark
that the ends of the three pairs of long processes (the third, fifth and
seventh pairs) appear to be slightly moveable at the will of the larva.
HARRISON G. DyAr.
THERE isa form of Ergates spiculatus Lec. (2), which occurs in Wet
Mountain Valley, Colorado, differing from the type as represented in the
British Museum collection from the Pacific region, and figured by LeConte
in having the elytra marked with whitish between the veins, and pale
about the apices, where the dark color gradually becomes subobsolete.
The thorax on the other hand, is quite dark. This form perhaps indicates
a tendency to that sexual dichroism which is, as pointed out to me by
Mr. Gahan, so well marked in certain other Longicorns; or, it may be a
climatic race, a product of the drier central region of North America.
In structure this species already presents secondary sexual characters .
which have led to the sexes being described as different species, but nor-
mally the sexes do not differ in color. This pale-marked 2 form of &Z.
spiculatus has been mentioned by Leng, but apparently it has received no
name; it may be conveniently known as var. marmoratus. From one of my
specimens of this variety (now in the British Museum) I extracted an egg,
which, in its dried state, is pale amber color, elongate, subcylindrical, atten-
uate at the ends; length, 23 mm.; breadth, 1 mm.—T. D. A. CocCKERELL.
Tue fact mentioned above is by no means rare in its occurrence in the
specimens received from Oregon and Washington, nor is it by any means
peculiar to the female. The discoloration is not due to climatic influences,
as it is equally observed in specimens from the dry regions of the centre
of the continent and the notoriously damp climate of the Northwest..
They seem to me merely imperfectly chitinized specimens, hardly de-
serving a varietal name. Such discolorations seem quite common in
those Coleoptera with a coriaceous elytral texture. They are probably
the result of a reduction of temperature during the evolution of the imago.
Geo. H. Horn.
STINGING POWERS OF VESPA VULGARIS AND ICHNEUMON SUTURALIS.
—A few days ago Mrs. Gillette called my attention to a dead (?) wasp
upon the window that she had killed, so that it would not sting our little
daughter, who would be sure to try to catch the “‘ bug”’ if she saw it. The
wasp was a specimen of Vespa vulgaris, and the blow that was supposed
to have killed it had entirely severed the abdomen from the rest of the
body. Nothing more was thought of the wasp until the next day, twenty-
162 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ December,
four hours later, when the screams of the little girl called her mother to
the scene. The child had picked up the pretty abdomen of the wasp and
had received a severe sting to pay her for her curiosity. The abdomen
at this time seemed thoroughly alive. How much longer it would have
retained its power to sting, had it not been destroyed, I am unable to say.
STINGING POWER OF ICHNEUMON SuTURALIS.—While collecting a few
days since a female JZ. su¢uradis lit upon a bush just in reach of me. With
a quick sweep of the hand I caught it, and held it, while, with the other
hand, I got out my cyanide bottle. As I was about to bottle my capture
I received a thrust in the palm of my hand that led me to suspect that in
my haste I had mistaken a wasp for an /chneumon, and I quickly dropped
it. The culprit was recaptured and proved to be, as stated above, 7
suturalis, The sting was like the thrust of a pin, there being no swelling
of the part and no pain after the first two or three seconds.
I had, previous to this, watched /chneumons in their attempts to sting
while holding them in my hand, but this is the first time that one has
really succeeded in producing anything like a sting. —C. P. GILLETTE.
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following con conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be limited to twelve (12) for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of
transportation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological
Society ; 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may
be announced accordingly. Such identifications as can be given will be published, accord-
ing to number, in the issues of the News. Address packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS,
Academy Natural Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
EUGENE R. FIsCHER.—1, Efpiscopus ornatus; 2, Proconia sp. (con-
fiuens ?); 3, Proconia (confluens?); 4, Stenarops malinus; 5, Nysius
californicus.
O. S. Westcotr.—1, Cenonympha ochracea; 2, Rheumaptera hastata;
3, Melipotis sp.; 5, Megachile latimanus; 6, Sparnopolius fulvus; 9,
Scatophaga stercoraria; 10, Scatophaga squalida; 11, Dendroctonus sp.;
12, Dendroctonus sp.
F. S. Daccett.—1, Chalcophora virginiensis; 2, Rhaziaaa lineatum,;
3, Cryptus nuncius; 4, Buprestis fasciata; 5, Harmonia rg-guttata; 6,
Coccinella monticola; 7, Coccinella transversoguttata; 8, Harmonia 12-
maculata, 9, Hippodamia parenthesis; 10, Harmonia picta; 11, Pogono-
cherus mixtus; 12, Hippodamia 13-punctata.
Entomological Literature.
TRANSACTIONS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY LONDON. Part 3, 1890.—
On the structure of the terminal segment in some male Hemiptera, by
Dr. David Sharp. On the classification of the Pyralidina of the European
‘ fauna, by E. Meyrick. Additions to the Cicindelide fauna of Mexico,
with remarks on some of the previously recorded species, by Henry
Walter Bates. A Catalogue of the Rhopalocerous-Lepidoptera collected
~~ —
=
1890. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 163
in the Shan States, with notes on the country and climate, by Neville
_ Manders. Notes on the species of the families Lycidze and Lampyride,
contained in the Imperial Museum of Calcutta, with descriptions of new
species, and a list of the species at present described from India, by Rev.
Henry S. Gorham. On some new species of African diurnal Lepidoptera,
by Philip Crowley.
THE West AMERICAN SCIENTIST, September, 1890.—New Coccids
- from California, by D. W. Coquillett.
PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL
‘Soctety, vol. iv, p. 170.—The post-embryonic development of a gnat
(Culex), by C. Herbert Hurst.
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL History, vol. vi, No. 34.—De-
scription of some new species of African butterflies in the collection of
Capt. G. E. Shelley, by E. M. Sharpe.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. Pt. 3, 18go.
—On some new moths from India, by H. J. Elwes. On a collection of
Acarina found in Algeria, by A. D. Michael. Descriptions of new species
of Lepidoptera-Heterocera from Central and South America, by Herbert
Druce. Ona collection of Lepidoptera made by Mr. Edmund ‘Reynolds
on the rivers Tocantins and Araguaya in the Province of Goyaz, Brazil,
by Emily Mary Sharpe.
BroLoGcia CENTRALI-AMERICANA. Part 87, August, 1890.—Coleoptera:
vol. iv, pt. 2, by G. C. Champion, pp. 185-216, plates 8, 9; vol. vi, pt. 1,
suppl, by M. Jacoby, pp. 201-208. Lepidoptera:-Rhopalocera: vol. ii, by
F. D. Godman and O. Salvin, pp. 185-208, pl. 65. Rhynchota-Heterop-
tera, by W. L. Distant, pp. 345-352, pl. 32. Diptera: vol. ii, by F."M.
Vander Wulp, pp. 177-200. ;
EssSAy ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE Mosquiro AND House FLy, by
William Beutenmiiller, 180 pp. 2 plates. This interesting essay was pre-
sented in competition for the prize offered by Dr. Lamborn, of New York,
for the best on the subject. It gives an account of the anatomy, life-his-
tory and development of the mosquito, remedies against and an account
of its natural enemies. A catalogue of the described transformations of
the Odonata of the world is appended.
BERLINER ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT xxxv, heft 1, 1890.—Lepid-
_opterological notes from Sumatra, by Dr. L. Martin. "The Bee genus
Dasypoda Latr.,* by A. Schletterer; 1 pl. African Fulgoride,* by Dr.
F. Karsch; 1 pl. Paropioxys, Metoponitys, Anecphora, Paranotus, Eury-
prosthius, Phedolus, Conoprosthius, Aulophorus n. gen. Contributions
to the knowledge of the Lepidopterous fauna of Amurland, iv,* by L.
Graeser. Contribution to the knowledge of the singing Cicadas of Africa
and Madagascar,* by Dr. F. Karsch; 2 plates; 74 species are enumerated;
shod alate edd Pectira, Musoda n. gen. Description of the colors
* Contains new species other than North American.
164 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
of the larva of Papilio oaynius, by Dr. J. Gundlach. Two new Bupres-
tids from the Malayan Archipelago,* and Agestrata lata n. sp., by Dr.
Richter. A new Buprestid from East Africa,* and a new Cetonid from
East Africa,* by G. Quedenfeldt. Akis Schweinfurthi n. sp., by M. Que-
denfeldt; from Egypt.
ANNALEN DES K. K.. NATURHISTORISCHEN HOFMUSEUMS, v, No. 2,
Wien, 1890.—The Hymenopterous group of the Sphecinze I. Monograph
of the natural genus Spier L.* (sens. lat.), first part, by F. F. Kohl; 5
plates; .S. morio, Brit. Columbia; S. prestans, California; S. neoacenus,
Vancouver island; S. eacisus, Vancouver Island; S. clavipes, Cuba; 5S.
chrysophorus, Mexico; S. Maximiliani, Mexico; S. spiniger, Mexico,
Brazil; new species from North America.
MATERIAUX POUR LA FAUNE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DU LimBouRG, Coleop-
teres 3e centurie, Hasselt, 1890.—Materiaux pour la Faune Entomolo-
gique de la Province de Brabant. Coleopteres, .5e centurie, Bruxelles,
1890; both by A. P. de Borre.
BULLETINO DELLA SOCIETA ENTOMOLOGICA ITALIANA, xxii, 1890.—On
a series of newly discovered secretory organs in the silk worm, by E.
Vernon; 4 plates. Notes on some epizoic insects, by M. Bezzi: Pulex
tuberculaticeps n. sp. on Ursus arctos L. Studies on some Formicide of
the Neotropic Fauna, by C. Emery; 5 plates; I. Formicidz of Costa
Rica, a list of 107 species, with notes, 18 of them new species or races;
II. On some new species of the genus Pseudomyrma, including new spe-
cies from Central America, etc.; III. New American forms of the genera
Strumigenys and Epitritis, etc.
ARCHIV FUR NATURGESCHICHTE, lvi, 1 band, 2 heft. Published Aug.,
1890. Contains the bibliographical summary for Entomology for 1889, by
Dr. Ph. Bertkau.
IL NATURALISTA SICILIANO, ix, 9.—Supplement to the Review of the
Milabridz (Bruchidz), by F. Baudi. Conspectus of the Scymzenidz col-
lected by Lotharius Hetschko in Southern Brazil near Blumenau, by E.
Reitter and F. Croissandreau.
CompTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIGQUE 6 Sept.,
1890.—Psychidological Notes,* by Dr. F. J. M. Heylaerts. Note on the
Chrysobothridz,* by C. Kerremans; Pseudactenodes n. gen. Description
of a new species of Elateridz of the genus Dicronychus (Eschscholtz),*
by G. Dumont. Descriptions of four new species of the family Chryso-
melidz,* by A. Duvivier. Notes on the Elateridz of Chota-nagpore,* by
E. Candéze. Causeries Odonatologiques, No. 2, by E. de Selys-Long-
champs.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NorD DE LA FRANCE, October, 1890.—Mate-
rials for the Entomological fauna of Flanders; 4th century. Coleoptera,
* Contains new species other than North American.
oh al
1890. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 165
‘
by A. P. de Borre. Acarinz observed in France (first list), by R. Monicz.
Galls observed in the North of France, by H. Fockeu (supplementary
list).
SITZUNGSBERICHTE UND ABHANDLUNGEN DER NATURWIS. GESELL.
Isis IN DRESDEN, 1890, January-June. On mimicry, by Dr. J. Thallwitz;
contains a number of references to insects.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATHIQUE DE Paris, 8e serie; II, No.
3, 1890.—Note on some fossil insects of the coal measures .which bear
aliform appendages on the prothorax, by C. Brongniart.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Oct. 13, 1890.—Analytical chemical re-
searches on living larve, pupz and butterflies, by E. Verson.
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE, 6€ serie, ix,
1889-90.—Coleoptera of the interior of China,* fifth part, by L. Fairmaire;
Stenonota, Coregrilus, Saliumia, Phyllolytus, Pasurius, Trymatoderus,
Merarius, Hemadius, Talmonus, Osnaparis, Sepharia, Semacia, Tebalia,
new genera. Coleoptera of the North of Africa,* by L. Bedel. New, or
little-known Cucujidz,* seventh memoir, by A. Grouvelle, one plate.
Lepidopterological Notes, second part, by C. Jourdheuille (on Eupithecia
valerianata Hiib.). New, or little-known Diptera,* 34th part, by J. F. M.
Bigot (Empidi); includes the following new species from North America:
Rhamphomyia Morrissoni, R. pachymera, R. nigrita, R. geniculata.
Contributions to the Indo-Chinese fauna: first memoir, Cicindelidz and
Elateridz,* by E. Fleutiaux: second memoir, Hydrocanthares,* by Dr.
M. Regimbart. Voyage of M. E. Simon to Venezuela: second memoir,
Coleoptera,* by A. Grouvelle, 1 plate; third memoir, Coleoptera,*# by A.
Léveillé, fourth memoir, Arachnida,* by E. Simon; Pseudidiops, Pheo-
clita, Celidotopus, Rhytidicolus, Accola, Psalistops, Stothis, Euthycelus,
Epipedesis, Adranochelia, Stichoplastus, Ozopactus, Paratropis, Cosmo-
pelma, new genera; fifth memoir, Coleoptera (Lathridz),* by M. J. Belon.
Diagnoses cf new, or little-known Lycidz,* sixth part, by J. Bourgeois.
Expedition of M. Ch. Allaud into the territory of Assinie (West Africa);
first memoir, Lycidz,* by J. Bourgeois; second memoir, Dytiscidz and
Gyrinidz,* by Dr. M. Regimbart. Expeditions of M. E. Gounelle to
Brazil. Temnochilide,* by A. Léveillé. A new Boarmia, etc., by C.
Blachier, one plate; notes the occurrence of Vanessa virginiensis Dru.
(Huntera Fab.), in the island of Teneriffe. Contributions to the Indo-
Chinese fauna; third memoir, Carabide,* by H. W. Bates; Arhytinus n.
gen.; fourth memoir, Cryptocephalidz, Clytride and Eumolpide,* by E.
Lefevre. Expedition of M. C. Allaud- into Assinie, etc.; fifth memoir,
Eumolpide, by E. Lefevre. Contributions to the Indo-Chinese fauna;
sixth memoir, Galerucide and Alticide,* by E. Allard. New, or little-
known Diptera,* 35th part, by J. F. M. Bigot (Cyrtidi). Voyage of M. E.
Simon to Venezuela; sixth memoir, Clytride, Lamprosomide and
* Contains new species other than North American.
166 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ December,
Eumolpide,* by E. Lefevre; Zphyrea n. gen. Descriptions of a new
genus, and of some new species of Phytophagous Coleoptera (Eumol-
pidz),* by E. Lefevre; Zaurus n. gen., Alethaxius tuberculifer, Mexico,
n. sp. Entomology at the Universal Exposition of 1889, by A. Léveillé.
List of the Coleoptera of Guadaloupe and descriptions of new species,
by E. Fletiaux and A. Sallé; 517 species are listed. Contributions to the
Indo-Chinese fauna: sixth memoir, Sagridz, Crioceridee, Chrysomelidz,
Hispide,* by Dr. J. S. Baly. Notice on the genus Lep/arctia Stretch, G. -
H. French; describes some new North American varieties. From the
bulletins of this society we note the following: /vosis,* Mabille (n. gen.
Lepid.); /schyropteron,* Bigot (n. gen. Diptera); Sarothroceras,* Mabille
(n. gen. Lepid.); Zssacaris,* Fairmaire (n. gen. Coleop.); Phelister un-
cistrius, Marseul (n. sp. Coleop.), Guatemala. Choristoneura,* Mabille
(n. gen. Lepid.); Ayda,* Stethotrix,* Dis,* Mabille (n. gen. Lepid.);
Malthodes ligulifer Bergroth (n. sp. Coleop.), California; Palibothra,*
Papua* Ragonot (n. gen. Phycite). A catalogue of the French species —
of Cerambycide is published in this volume.
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, XXxili.—
Monograph of the European species and those inhabiting neighboring
countries of the genus 7iphia Fab.,* byH Tournier. Notes on the Per-
lide described by Dr. Rambur, by H. Albarda. Note on Teniopterya
nebulosa L.. and 7. pretextata Burm., by H. Albarda, pl. 1. New Ela-
teridze, by E. Candeze (see Ent. NEws, i, p. 53). Documents for a mono-
graph of the Ichneumonidz of Asiatic Russia,* by Dr. J. Tosquinet. Cata-
logue of the Coleoptera of the family Gyrinidz, by G. Severin; 303 species —
are listed. PI. Il figures the interesting Odonat, Palcophlebia superstes
Selys. '
MEMOIRS DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE, iii, parts 2 and 3,
1890.—Phosphorescence in myriapods of the family Geophilidz, by J. —
Gazagnaire.
BIBLIOTHECA ZOOLOGICA II. VERZEICHNISS DER SCHRIFTEN UBER
ZOOLOGIE WELCHE IN DEN PERIODISCHEN WERKEN ENTHALTEN UND
VoM JAHRE 1861-80, SELBSTSTANDIG ERSCHIENEN SIND. . . . von Dr. O.
Taschenberg; 8th Lieferung, signatur 281-320. Leipzig, Engelman, 1890,
pp. 2291-2610 (List of the publications on Zoology which are contained in
periodicals and have appeared separately, from 1861-80). This “ Liefe-
rung”’ finishes the Hymenoptera and begins the Coleoptera.
Les ABEILLES.—Organes et Fonctions, Education et Produits, Miel et
Cire, par Maurice Girard, Docteur des Sciences Naturelles, etc.; Avec 85,
figures dans le texte, 3e Edition Paris: J. B. Bailliere et Fils, 1890 (Biblio-
theque Scientifique Contemporaine).
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Oct. 20, 1890.—The losing of liquid in but-
terflies after their imagonation, by Dr. J. Frenzel. The odorous glands of
Aphlebia bivittata Brullé (Blattidz), of Teneriffe, by Dr. H. Krauss.
* Contains new species other than North American.
vee CO
1890. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 167
Doings of Societies.
(Continued from p. 152, vol. i.)
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE A. A. A. S. OF
INDIANAPOLIS, 1890.—Dr. Weed presented a short paper on the habits of
Lixus concavus.
Prof. Hargitt called attention to early observations on the Canker-worm.
He also spoke of a Cecidomyia infesting the tops of So/idago, and also
presented ‘‘ Notes upon Cermatia forceps.”
Prof. Webster spoke of the predaceous habits of Cermatia and its prey-
ing upon the Croton bug. Mr. Fletcher had observed the insect with Mr.
Howard at Washington. Its mode of capturing the Croton bug before
devouring it was remarkable. It sprang over its prey, which was thus
encaged between many curved legs. He thought that Mr. Hargitt’s suc-
cess in keeping alive the specimens he had confined in a tin canister, was
more due to the moisture thus secured than the darkness. He under-
stood that this insect was a lover of damp places, like many other myriopods.
The Club then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year,
which resulted as follows:
President, Prof. Herbert Osborn, Aaies, Iowa.
Vice-President, Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirkwood, Mo.
Secretary, Clarence M. Weed, Columbus, Ohio.
Prof. Osborn presented a Peper on ‘‘ The use of Contagious Diseases
in destroying Injurious insects.”’
Prof. Atkinson spoke of some insects-of Alabama.
Dr. Weed read a short paper on the oviposition of Dectes spinosus in
Ambrosia trifiida.
Prof. Cook presented some notes on the insects of the year. He said
_ Cut-worms and Saw-flies had been yery injurious. The larve of 4geria
tipuliformis was attacked with a fungus growth like that attacking the
white grub. The foliage of the quince and cherry were injured by the
first brood of larvze of Cherry Slug. Road dust was applied with excel-
lent results. Dr. Weed presented a short paper on Psephenus lecontet,
which, he stated, he had found on the shores of Lake Erie.
Club adjourned to meet in connection with the A.A. A. S. next year.
F. H. WEBSTER,
Secretary.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 1890.—Messrs.
J. M. Stedman, Nathan Banks and F. W. Mally, were elected members
of the Society.
Under exhibition of specimens and notes, Dr. Fox exhibited a specimen
of asmall spider, belonging to the genus Zfisivus, which was stated by
Dr. Marx to be an undescribed species.
Dr. Marx called attention to two spiders new to our fauna, one belong-
ing to the European genus //isfopona taken at Penn-Mar, and also re-
ceived from South Florida, and the other, a new genus, of uncertain po-
168 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [December,
sition, but possibly allied to the Agalenidz, represented by a single speci-
men taken on the grounds of the Department.
Mr. Marlatt exhibited a specimen of 7rypeta equatis Lw., which he
had bred from seed-pods of z-anthium, and the larval habit of which he
had described at a previous meeting of the Society.
Mr. Marlatt then presented a paper on ‘‘Some observations on the
habits of Vespa germanica and V. cuneata.”’ The feeding and nesting
habits, particularly of the first-named species, were described. Three
kinds of nests were:mentioned, viz.: the very rare zrial ones, those be-
neath stumps or stones, and those in open ground; the latter being much
the more common. Various insect and mammalian enemies of these
wasps were alluded to together with the means employed to destroy the
nests when their proximity to dwellings renders them objectionable. Dis-
cussed by Messrs. Howard, Schwarz, Fox, Dodge, Stedman, Marlatt and
others.
Mr. Howard read a paper entitled, “A new remarkable genus of En-
cyrtinze,”’ in which he characterized a new genus and species which pos-
sesses the peculiar ramose antennz hitherto peculiar, in the subfamily
Encyrtine, to 7etracnemus diversicornis of Westwood. Mr. Howard
has named the genus Zanaostigma and the species 7. coursetie from
Coursetia (?) mexicana, a rare leguminous plant, collected in the Alamos
Mountains, Mexico, by Dr. Edward Palmer, and in the ovaries and stigma
of which the insect breeds. Discussed by Messrs. Schwarz, Howard and
Marlatt.
Dr. Marx favored the Society with an account of his recent experiments
to determine whether the bite of Latrodectus mactauns is poisonous or not.
He describes the poison glands of Latrodectus, which are very small.
He had introduced the poison in various ways into guinea-pigs and rab-
bits without obtaining any satisfactory results, and proposed to vary and
continue his experiments to put the matter of the supposed poisonous
nature of the bite of this spider, if possible, beyond doubt. Discussed
by Messrs. Schwarz, Howard, Fox and Marlatt. :
- Mr. Ulke, who was present, gave an interesting description of the habits
of Yachys incurvus Say, which he had found in numbers in the nests of
ants, and which is the first Caraéid to be determined as truly myrmeco-
philous. He also described the habits of certain myrmecophelous Staphy-
linidze, and exhibited a small collection of Coleoptera made by T. Ulke,-
illustrating the local fauna of the Black Hills district. Discussed by
Messrs. Schwarz, Howard and Marx.
In connection with the subject of local faunas, Mr. J. B. Smith’s recent
catalogue of the insects of New 4ereny was taken up and discussed at ©
length by the Society.
Mr. Townsend submitted by publication a generic synopsis of the first
five families of the N. A. Calyptrate Muscidz.
C. L. MARLATT, ;
ae Recording Secretary.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws for November was mailed October 30, 1590.
.
Entomological News
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
OF THE
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
OF
PHILADELPHIA.
© ne
VOLUME Il, 1891.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M.D.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Gro. H. Horn, M.D. CHARLES A. BLAKE.
Ezra T. CRESSON. PHILIP P. CALVERT.
A
Vv
PHILADELPHIA:
ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
LOGAN SQUARE.
oP \4"
18gI. Ly ie
4
INDEX TO VOLUME II.
GENERAL ENTOMOLOGY.
A Conjecture ; 200
Doings of Societies 18, 60; 80, 99,
126, 146, 168, 187, 212.
Edwards, Henry, . 129, 138
Electric Light as an Insecticide 33
Elementary Entomology 8, 27, 46,
66.
Entomological Literature 14, 37, 56,
78, 95, 123, 141, 164, 183, 209.
Exceptional Insccts . 208
Excursion : 121, 139
Forest Plague in Bavaria . . 34
Hop Louse, Phorodan humuli. 34
Humors of Collecting . . . 33
Identification of Insects 14, 36, 55,
78, 95, 123, 209.
Immigration Theory, Another. 30
Insects at Electric Light . . 77
Mimicry 81, 93, 209
Notes and News 12, 32, 51, 76, 91,
II9, 138, 160, I79, 206.
Obituary 40, 80, 100, 128, 168, 188
Peach Yellows, cause of. . 206
Photography in arated . 189
Rocks... : 153
Spider Fisherman, A. me. 77
Spiders Described by Hentz . 84
Spiders, synonymical notes. . 193
Stephani picta 206
Value of Types 139
COLEOPTERA.
ADisplacement .... . 54
I gg re BM
Cicindelatortuosa ... . 32
ee... 13
Heterius brunnipennis . 120
Heterocerus pusilus. . . . 54
Lachnosterna insperata, Sra-
terna - ‘ D355
Limnichus Sanctates : es ae
Megilla maculata . ae 4
Notes on Coleoptera . + @1, 54
Phillie ak 8 as at ev 54
Plastocerus Schaumii, pupa . 112
Polycesta elata, \arva . . 106
Sphenophorus minimus . 5 EF
Through the Pinal Mountains . 130
Trap for capturing C. . . . 82
Trichodes ornatus. . ... ©&
DIPTERA.
Dasyllis thoracica apes
Coleoptera 162
Exorista esobhani: n. Sos, 197
Exorista parasitic on Lagoa . 159
E. lagoe n. sp. 159
New Hippoboscid from Mexico 105
Trichobius n. g., T. Du-
gestin. sp. . . 106
Syrphid pupz in cactus . 162
HYMENOPTERA.
Ants as Surgeons x ee 92
Cocoon spinning of Iclineunion 169
East African Hymenoptera. . 42
Sphex Abbotiin.sp. . . 42
Eee. 53
Flalictus confusus. . . . . 54
Habits of Bees. . . 5A
Hymenopterological Notes . . 194
Larra aurantia n. sp. . 194
L. punctifrons n. sp. . 194
New species of Ripsuonidie: ae
Bothynostethus distinctus . 31
LEPIDOPTERA.
Aberrations of well-known L. 150
Aegeride, new. . . . 107
Trochilium cal ilteiceinn 5 108
T. minimum es >. ee
Larunda palmti. . . . 108
Albuna vitrina . . . . 109
Aletia argillacea . ... . 1
Amphion nessus . . . . 121, 207
An@a... ee
Apatura ciytoa I
Argynnisidalia . . . . . Yai
Caligo atratus . . . . 149
Callydryas eubule in Missouri « 117
Catocale, Hunting ... . 62
C. habilis, larvae. . \. . 90°94
Citheronia regalis. 1, 13, 21, 151
Colias c@sonia. . . 27 RS
Composia fidelissima vs. C.
olympiae ae Se AD
Dilophonota caicus ... . . 123
Diphthera festiva elegans . 92, 122
Eacles imperialis . . . . . 150
Early stages of some Moths . 152
Ecpantheria scribonia . . . 76
Electric lights, L.at . . . . 23
Elementary Entomology 89, IIo,
137, 1575 177, 196.
Effects of storms on larve. . 51
Euglyphia fastuosa . . . . 122
E. haroglyphisa . . 76, 92, 122
Erebus odora ...... 76
E. zenobia aes Ss ee
Euclea, E.nanan.sp. . . . 61
Gluphisia avimacula n. sp. . 155
Gnophela Clappianan. sp. . 156
Hesperide, new African . . 3
Proteides galua ... + 3
P. benga = Seas ae
P. balengée: . ae. Te
Homohadenainfixa . . . . 206
Inguromorpha Slossonit . . 71
ve... le
Lepisesia flavofasciata, early
_ stages _ 87, 109
Liparis monacha . . . . . 34
List of N. Amer. Butterflies 20, i
pal INDEX.
Mimicry of Danais archippus ‘
93, 209.
Monoleuca subdentosa n. sp.
Neonympha Mitchelti . . . 13
New Lepidoptera. . . . . 102
Hypolycena festata. . . 102
Lemonias maxima. . . 104
Packardia .. por
Pamphila péntipsincilae Nn. sp. 175
Paphia troglodyta . - 43, 175
Papilio anchisiades . . . . 52
PP: turnus. . 2“ 5. eee
Parasa .. a
P. chloris, food plaaie of ei 6 208
Philampelus vitis . . . . . 76
Philegethontius cingulata . . 76
Phragmatobia assimilans . . 2
Jranconia n. var.. . 3, 41, 139
Platycerura furcilla . . . . 33
Platysamia Gloveri ese
Psyche confederata sae
Random notesonL.. . . . 158
Retinia Comstockiana . . . 33
Satyrus alope: sii ae
Seasonal notes. . MRT
Sphingidz of Colotads WS. 5 age
Sphinx quinquemaculata . . 13
Spilosoma nities early
Stages » 2 ERS
Telea polyphemus on White
Birch . 94
Terias nicippe on Long Island. 171
Vanessa californica . . . «123
Viurtice. . se
NEUROPTERA.
Anax junius, early stages . . 179
Contribution to Maine Odonata
5°, 73.
Dragonfly with abnormal wing. 35 _
List of Maine Dragonflies ... 11
Mt. Desert Dragonflies .
Ortholestes n. gen.
O. claran.sp.. . . 3m
. 182
94
52
1:200
. >) Sa
aM, 61, 115, 156
7I
. 180
31, 42, 194
2 . 161
- 54, 113, 135
- §°, 73
+ 3, 156
e121
6
- 155
INDEX. ii
Johnson, J. S., . 51, 62, 76
Kellicott, D. S., . 33, 122, 209
Kunze, R. E., 53, 93, 94, 121, 122,
171, 207, 208, 209.
Laurent, v3 : 32, 33, 180
Liebeck, C., . Te Pies.) $4, T20
Longe, sows . . 76
Lugger, O., . pie ts ay
Martindale L C, 139
Mason, J. T., . 76, 153
Mitchell, I. N., 08g, 109,/T23
Neumoegen, B., 107, 122, 123, 150,
161, 175.
Osborn, H., ke Sa, 6 7
Ottolengui, R., . . 23, 76°
Patton, W. H., . . . 206
Potts, geen - 53, 54
Rolfs, Peaaeen-. sities £9
Rowley, R. R.,. hae 117, 133
Skinner, H., 1, 12, pe 89, 92, I10,
129, 137, 157, 158, 175, 177, 196.
Slosson, Mrs. A. T., . . 2, 41, 139
Summers, H. E., . . 206
Thompson, J. C., . . 162
Todd, A., " cum,” |
Townsend, c. H. T. Ag tek ike 197
Van Denburg, M. W . 169
Van Duzee, E. P., =) P.' 30
Wadsworth, MissM.,. . . . 11
Weeks, A. G., Jr., . 102
Wickham, H. F., . 130
Williston, S. W., . 162
‘(WAUW1) SITVOSY VWINOYSZHLIO
‘IIe ‘II IOA ‘'SAAOCN UG
kee a
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5
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
Vou. it. _ JANUARY, 18o1. No. 1.
CONTENTS:
Remarks on IIlustration.............::0+0+++ I : Wadsworth—Dragonflies of Maine...... II
Slosson—Phragmatobia assimilans........ 2 | Notes and News 12
Holland—African Hesperide............... 3 | Entomological Literature............000:0++ 14
Horn—Trichodes ornatus..........--.ssssss 6 | Doings:Of Societics..............c0seccesseseee 18
P. P. C.—Elementary Entomology....... 8 | SupPRRBBRiited sess =<26200vevecorecseoss secon see i
Oor illustration represents the ‘‘ Hickory-horned devil’’ just as
he appears when in search of a place to undergo his transforma-
tion into a chrysalis. He was found August 7th, crawling on the
turnpike, by Julius F. Sachse; editor of the ‘‘ American Journal
of Photography,’ who put him on a gate-post, and did him the
honor of taking his picture. We are indebted to Mr. Sachse for
kindly loaning us the plate for the News. “‘ Every entomologist
recognizes the difficulty experienced in attempting to preserve
specimens of the larvee of moths and butterflies; even under the
most favorable circumstances the prepared specimens shrivel and
lose their color. Heretofore, drawings have been made of the
larva, a proceeding expensive, and often unsatisfactory. It is here
where photography asserts its superiority—for example, we will
take the illustration: It would be an easy matter to stop out the
negative, print on heavy, plain paper, and then lightly tint with
proper shades in water colors.’’* The reproduction is by the
Ives process, the engraving by the Crosscup & West Co., and
the printing by P. C. Stockhausen. We hope to give illustra-
tions in volume 2 very frequently, and trust to receive the sup-
port of those interested in Entomology so that this may be done.
* J. F. Sachse, in the “‘ American Journal of Photography,” September, 1890.
I
2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. CJanuary,
The News is supplied at such a reduced figure as to make it pos: "
sible for all to subscribe. We have increased its size to twenty % }
pages, and, should the subscription-list justify it, we will make
it even larger. Nothing will be left undone toward increasing its -
value and usefulness. Suggestions from subscribers, indicating
how it may be improved for their benefit, will be thane e-
peived by the Committee.—Eb. :
O
PHRAGMATOBIA ASSIMILANS Walker.
BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON.
About a year and a half ago I described (‘‘ Ento. Amer.*’
May, 1889) the rediscovery, at Franconia, N. H., of this inter-
esting species.
It will be remembered that, among Walker’s types in British
Museum, there are two forms under this name, marked respec-
tively, A. and B. One of these forms is thus described (I will
not apologise for repeating the description, as it has not been
printed recently):
‘* Male.—Red. Antenne testaceous. Thorax with brown
hairs. Wings red, veins darker. Primaries slightly brown along
the costa and elsewhere indistinctly sprinkled with pale brown;
with two blackish dots. Secondaries brighter red, with three
black dots, two in disc and one near hind border towards inner
angle. Length of body, 6 lines; of wings, 16 lines.’’ “As I said
in my former paper my moth, taken at Franconia, May, 1886,
corresponds in every respect with this description, save that it is
a female and larger.
Of the other form Walker says: ‘‘ Var.—Primaries almost
wholly brown. Secondaries with broad, blackish, submarginal
stripe.”’ rae
This last variety I was so fortunate as to capture this year at
Franconia. It is, like the one taken two years before, a female,
in fine condition, having evidently just emerged. It differs from
the first one not only by its blackish, irregular border on hind _
wings, and its somewhat darker primaries, but in having two ~
diffuse, dark, transverse lines on fore wings, which are but faintly
suggested in the other. I do not find that this species of Walker's
is represented in any collection, except that of the British Mu-
seum, where the types—two worn and damaged specimens, I am
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. > 3
“told; are kept. Its rarity is, probably, to be attributed to its
habitat and very early appearance. Both my specimens were
taken in very cold weather, in a season in which few entomolo-
gists ever visit the mountain region of New Hampshire. The
last one was found sitting on the floor of our piazza, near the light,
just before midnight of the 24th of May. The thermometer at
the time was below 48°, and there was still much snow on the
mountains and in the woods. ;
_ I do not think that any one could examine these specimens of ©
mine and doubt their belonging to Walker’s species, which, as
Prof. J. B. Smith says (** Can. Ent.’’ xxii, 120), ‘‘ has languished
among the synonyms, ever since Dr. Packard referred it there in
'1884.’’ They are certainly not 7wdvicosa Harris. Dr.. Packard,
himself, to whom entomology owes so much, and who is fairness
and justice personified, would, I know, acknowledge this if he
saw the two forms together. Prof. Smith, in the paper referred to
above, recognizes the species on the ground, as he seems to inti-
mate, of my rediscovery.
As the varietal form—with band on secondaries—has apparently
received no name, being marked simply B in British Museum
collections, and as it is a very distinct and strongly-marked form,
I propose to call it Phragmatobia franconia n. var., and shall de-
seribe it more fully soon; with plate, if possible, under that name.
O
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF AFRICAN
HESPERIDA.
BY REV. W. J. HOLLAND.
(Continued from vol. i, p. 156.)
4. Proteides galua n. sp.
Upperside: Ground color dark brown, fading into slightly paler
fuscous at the apex of the primaries. The thorax and the base
of the wings clothed with a vestiture of greenish brown hairs.
Primaries ornamented by a series of subapical spots, of which
the one furthest from the costa is the largest. The outer third
of the cell is occupied by a large trapezoidal spot. Near the
junction of the second and third median nervules is a much
smaller subquadrate spot, followed in the next neural interspace,
between the first and second median nervules by a very large sub-
4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January,
trapezoidal spot, which is succeeded between the first median
nervule and the submedian vein by a small triangular spot. This
last spot is followed upon the same neural interspace by a still
smaller spot lying near the base, and partly concealed by the
hairy vestiture. Secondaries-ornamented by a band of five yel-
low spots separated by the nervures and traversing the wing for
about half its diameter in a line nearly at right angles with the
posterior margin. The three outermost of these spots gradually
diminish toward the interior, the last two are much longer, and
the band has thus imparted to it a sinuate appearance. There is
also a small yellow streak in the cell partly concealed beneath the
vestiture of the wing. All the spots in the anterior wing are
yellow hyaline, except the small triangular spot near the base —
above submedian vein. This spot and all the spots in the secon-
daries are opaque. The fringe of the secondaries near the anal
angle is white. | ;
Underside: The primaries are rich maroon, interrupted on the
costa at the end of the cell by a pearly gray patch, and by the
hyaline spots which reappear as on the upper surface. The apex
is lavender, with three oval spots of maroon on the outer margin.
The posterior margin is broadly ashen gray; the costa at the
base is white. The secondaries are dark lavender-gray, orna-
mented at the base by an oval spot and in the middle by a very
large and irregular spot of deep maroon margined with pinkish
gray; the palpi are white beneath. The thorax and abdomen are
dark brown; the antennz are dark above and light beneath, as
in most of the species of this genus.
The female does not differ materially from the male, except in
being larger, and the markings more sharply defined upon the
underside.
Flab.—Valley of the Ogove. Types in coll. Holland.
I give this species the name Ga/uwa after the tribe of the Galwas.
5. P. benga n. sp.
Upperside: The body and wings are uniformly brown, slightly
paler on the outer margin; the fringes of the secondaries are
narrowly white. The middle of the primaries is adorned by a
broad subquadrate band of hyaline yellow divided into three
spots by the nervures. Of these three the uppermost, situated
at the end of the cell, is outwardly bifid, with the tips of the bi-
®
ae
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 5
furcation rounded. A round, velvety, sexual band occupies the
centre of the secondaries in the case of the male.
Underside: The lower side of the wings is as the upper, save
that the costa of both the primaries and secondaries is washed
with ochreous. Palpi pale gray beneath.
The female does not differ from the male, except in having a
small lanceolate hyaline spot on the middle of the upper side of
the submedian vein in the primaries. Expanse 2, 45 mm.; 9,
48 mm.
Hab.—Ogove Valley, Benita. Type in coll. Holland.
I name this species after the Benga, a tribe on the mainland
near Benita.
6. P. balenge n. sp.
One of the largest species of the genus.
Upperside: Head, thorax, abdomen and wings, rich dark
brown throughout, only fading a little at the apical extremity of
the primaries into paler brown. Anferior wings ornamented as
follows: at the costa, about one-third from the tip of the wings,
there is a subapical series of four small white hyaline spots, the
first of which is short, the second elongated, the third like the
first, and the fourth, which is slightly removed from the rest,
small and quadrate. There are, further, four large yellow hyaline
spots, the largest, which is quadrilateral at the end of the cell,
and the other three, which are subquadrate, arranged in a series
upon the limbal area, on the interspaces between the median
nervules. Upon the fostertor wings there is a triangular spot of
the same color as those upon the disc of the primaries located
beyond the end of the cell.
Underside: The ground color is fuscous, clouded at the base
of the primaries and upon the secondaries by dark brown. The
spots of the upper surface all reappear upon the lower side, and
there are in addition the following markings: Upon the primaries
at the base upon the costa a white spot, beyond it about one-third
of the distance from the base a white mark, at the middle of the
costa above the large quadrate hyaline spot in the cell two small
Sagittate white marks, and at the apex a series of poorly defined
lunulate marks also white; upon the secondaries there are two
very small and indistinct white spots at the base, one small and
sharply defined spot on the disc between the costal and subcostal
6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January,
nerves, a similar spot in the cell, and one like it between the
second and third median nervules. The fringe at the anal angle
is narrowly white; the underside of the palpi is cinereous, and
the lower side of the abdomen is annulated with white. Expanse
of wings 68 mm.
Hlab.—Benita. Type ¢? in coll. Holland.
I name this species after the Balenge, a tribe found near Benita.
t).
TRICHODES ORNATUS Say.
BY GEO. H. HORN, M. D.
In consequence of some correspondence lately had in refer-
ence to this insect and the apparent incredulity that two forms
seen, which differ less than any two figures on the subjoined il-
lustration, were merely varietal differences, I have thought it
desirable to select a few forms illustrative of variation in two
directions from the typical form.
The thorax varies in color from blue to green, through brassy
and cupreous. The elytra are usually deep blue or blue-black, but
may be bright blue or green. The pale bands are of a Cicindeloid
type, and may be bright yellow or orange-yellow. The legs are
blue, the anterior four tarsi: pale, but those specimens with the
wider bands of yellow often have pale tibiz also.
On the accompanying illustration are five specimens selected
from my series showing the extent of variation in the markings.
The central figure is the common form in the region from which
Say obtained his specimens, near the base of the Rocky Moun-
tains. The humeral and the median band are often united along
the outer side. Fig. 2 represents a form quite usual in Owen’s
Valley, Cal., and western Nevada, the yellow being quite equal
to the blue color. Fig. 3 shows a form from Utah in which the
*
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. F
humeral and median bands have coalesced into a large pale area
enclosing but slight trace of the blue in the form of a spot and
two short lines. - This is the most extreme form I have yet seen
in the direction of the expansion of the yellow bands.
Fig. 4 represents a contraction of the bands, the humeral
breaking up, while the other two do not reach the lateral margin,
several specimens from Oregon illustrate this. In fig. 5 the elytra
are entirely blue or green, with a small post-median spot of ob-
liquely oval form. The spot varies in size and position, and from
the indications I have no doubt that specimens will occur with
elytra entirely blue. These one-spotted specimens must not be
mistaken for dzsignatus, which has quite a large spot of red color
contiguous to the margin and other specific characters.
As a rule, the hotter the climate in which the specimens were
native, the greater the extent of the yellow color; those repre-_
sented by fig. 3 are from the extreme southwest of Utah. In
colder, and especially damper climates, the blue color predomi-
nates; figs. 4 and 5 are from Oregon, although typical forms
occur abundantly there also.
The variety ‘ene//us is from San Diego and Fort Yuma, in
California. Its form is more slender than normal, and the mark-
ings are as in fig. 2, although a little wider, showing less blue.
In continuation of the same idea I reproduce the illustrations
| |
i
of the variations of the elytral markings of two species of Psoa
published by me in the ‘‘ Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.”’ 1886, p. xv.
OWED ape
@ )
tes =
NF
8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January,
The upper line represents P. maculata; the lower, P. guadri-
signata. The genus Psoa, although belonging to the Bostri-
chinze, resembles Trichodes in form, the elytra having a ground
color of blue or green, the markings yellowish to red. The
markings of guadrisignata are suggestive of 7richodes ornatus in
the fourth figure, while #aculata is rather of a vittate type.
It is hoped that these notes and figures will be at least caution-
ary to those who see in slight differences of the metallic surface
lustre, or the extent of markings a sure indication of a new
species.
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Seventh Paper.—THE ABDOMEN—INTERNAL ANATOMY.
The third and last region of the body is the abdomen. The
abdominal segments are not so closely united to each other as
are the segments of the head and the thorax; they consequently
possess a freedom of motion between themselves not to be found
in the two former regions of the body.
The abdominal segments sometimes receive the special name
of urifes. Their typical number is eleven (Packard), but in
different insects varies from three to eleven.
Besides the three pairs of jointed legs, situated near the front
end of the body, and which correspond to the (thoracic) legs of
the imago, many larve have other thicker, fleshy legs, termed
prolegs, prop-legs, or false legs. The prop-legs are not jointed,
and end in a circle of minute hooks; they are placed on that
part of the larva corresponding to the abdomen of the imago, in
which state they are not usually represented. The nymphz of
those insects which undergo only an incomplete transformation
have six jointed, thoracic legs. Of the larve that undergo a
complete transformation, some have no legs, as maggots; others
_have six jointed, thoracic legs; others still, as caterpillars, have
six jointed, thoracic legs, and from ten to sixteen jointless, ab-
dominal prop-legs. Some of those insects which do not pass
through any transformation have jointed abdominal legs; in this
particular they differ from the definition of an insect as given in
the first paper.
» In many insects which have an incomplete transidleeene
there is in the nymph a pair of jointed appendages to the last
' 1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 9
abdominal segment. These are represented in the correspond-
ing imagos, in which state they much resemble antennz; they
are called anal forceps, cerci, or caudal sete. Male insects have
sometimes one or two pairs of jointless claspers at the apex of the
abdomen. Female insects may have the abdomen furnished with
a sawing, piercing, or boring organ—the ovdpositor, by which the
eggs are implanted into various substances. A séing is an ovi-
positor modified to form an organ of defence; it exists in females
only, of some insects. Cornicles, nectaries, sithuncles, or honey
tubes, are small tubes, two in number, found on the abdomen of
plant-lice and certain other insects, through which a liquid
’ (‘‘ honey-dew’’) is secreted.
With this we complete our sketch of the external anatomy of
insects. Their internal anatomy is hardly an elementary study,
owing to its difficulty, but from its importance it cannot be over-
looked here.
~ If a cross-section were made of the body of a cat, or other
back-boned animal, the relative positions of the main nerve
(spinal) cord, the main blood vessel (aorta) and the alimentary
canal would be seen to be as follows. The most dorsal of the
three would be the nerve cord; below it, that is, on its ventral
side, would be the main blood vessel; below the latter would be
the alimentary canal, the most ventral of the three. These po-
sitions would, of course, be equally true for the human species.
But the relative positions of these three great organs in Ar-
thropods (and consequently in insects) is different. - Here the
main blood vessel is the most dorsal, below it is the alimentary
canal, below the latter is the nerve cord, which is here the most
ventral of the three.
The body wall of an insect is made up of three (microscopic)
+, layers, —
1. An outer chitinous layer, or cuticle.
: 2. A median cellular layer, or hypodermis.
a 3. An inner layer, or dasal membrane.
a The alimentary canal has its beginning at the mouth opening
eR ye .
Le and extends as a more or less convoluted tube, divided into va-
rious parts, through the length of the body, to its external open-
ing (anus) in the apex of the abdomen. The principal parts of
the canal are the pharynx, situated within the head, connected
10 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January,
by the slender esophagus with the crop, situated in the thorax,
or more posteriorly. Following the crop is the proventriculus, or
gizzard, a grinding organ with strong muscular walls. The
stomach, ventriculus, or chylific ventricle succeeds, situated in the
abdomen. After this is the étestine, which may sometimes be
subdivided into three parts, the z/ewm, or small intestine (imme-
diately following the stomach), the co/on, or large (thicker) in-
testine, and the vecfum, or terminal part. The crop and gizzard
are sometimes absent.
The alimentary canal is composed of three coats, the outer,
or peritoneal, the middle, or muscular, and the inner, or mucous.
The canal is held in place by retractor muscles, but principally
by exceeding numerous branches of the main trachez (Packard).
The appendages of the alimentary canal are the sa/ivary, the
cecal, and the anal glands, and the malpighian vessels. The
salivary glands open near the mouth. In some larve (caterpil-
lars) they are the source of the silk. The cecal glands open
into the stomach ; their secretion resembles the pancreatic secre-
tion of backboned animals. The anal glands open into the hind
part of the intestine; their secretion is usually offensive and con-
stitutes an organ of defense. The malpighian vessels are long,
slender tubes opening into the fore part of the ileum; they are
analogous to the kidneys of higher vessels. Insects have no
true liver, its functions being performed by the walls of the
stomach (Siebold quoted by Packard). -
The circulatory system consists of a dorsal vessel or heart, an
aorta, and a few branches of the latter.. The heart is a jointed
organ of a varying number of chambers, one behind the other,
corresponding in position to the segments (of the fore part of the
abdomen) in which they are situated.. The chambers are sepa-
rated by valves permitting motion in but one direction—from
behind forwards. A pair of lateral valves in each chamber allows
entrance, but prevents exit. The heart is contained in a cavity—
the pericardial sinus, separated from the other organs by a mem-
brane—the fericardial diaphragm, pierced by many openings.
At its fore end the heart opens into the aorta, a simple tube run-
ning to the head where it may or may not divide into short
branches. In either case the vessels apparently end in the head
as open tubes. The circulation is believed to be as follows:
By the successive contraction of the chambers of the heart, the
Ee ee: I Gon
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. II
blood is forced forwards from the hind into the fore chambers
and thence into the aorta. When the blood reaches the end of
blood vessels in the head it passes from them directly into the
body cavity, bathing the internal organs, flowing in regular cur-
rents, but not enclosed by walls. Finally, it passes through the
openings of the pericardial diaphragm, and enters the heart
through the lateral openings of the chambers.
The blood consists of a usually colorless, or sometimes yellow-
ish, greenish, or reddish liquid, in which float colorless, some-
times nucleated corpuscles. Pa Pic.
ray
Vv
Additions and Corrections to the list of Dragonflies
(Odonata) of Manchester, Kennebec Co., Maine.
BY MISS MATTIE WADSWORTH.
(See ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws vol. i, pp. 36, 55-)
la. Calopteryx eequabilis Say.
1890, June 21, one 8 taken near brook.
6a. Enallagma ebrium Hagen.
A single & taken several years ago, recently identified.
6b. Enallagma civile Hagen.
One 3, also recently identified.
16a. Neurzeschna vinosa Say.
1890, August 11, one $ flying over brook.
18a. Gomphus (Undetermined species).
One @ taken several years ago.
32. This species given as “‘Cordulia new? species” is C. cynosura variety.
1890, June 21, one 9, one 9, near brook. June 28, one %
in pasture.
37a. Plathemis trimaculata De Geer.
18go, June 18, 21, 8 8 seen near woods; 28, one ? in woods;
June 30, July 2, 18, 29, near woods, brook and roadside. Au-
gust 4, one ? in woods.
43. Diplax new ? species is D. ornata Ramb.
1890, July 9, one & by roadside; August 6, one $ in meadow;
August 7, one %, three 9 9 in pasture; August 12, one seen
flying; August 20, one ¢ in pasture.
44. Diplax semicincta Say.
One % taken some time ago, recently identified.
12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ Junuary,
The total number of species from Manchester known to me,
including the undetermined Gomphus, is now fifty species. Of
these two are Calopterygina, eleven Agrionina, seven A®schnina,
eight Gomphina, nine Cordulina, thirteen Libellulina.*
As before each species has been identified by Mr. Philip P.
Calvert, of Philadelphia, who has given me meee assistance in
the study of the Odonata.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws solicit, and will thankfully receive item
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.] <r
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
83> See change of wording in notice of Identification of Insects.
WE give as a supplement to the present number an exchange list, which
will save the entomologist the trouble and labor of making out written
lists, either of duplicates or desiderata, to send to correspondents. Num-
bers are also unsatisfactory, as they have to be copied from a list and re-
ferred to a list by the recipient. The editor has often been in need of
such a list, and thus it originated. All that is necessary is to mark the
list and put it in an envelope and send it on its way, hoping thereby to
receive many fine additjons to one’s collection.—ED.
ALETIA ARGILLACEA Hiib.—Afropos of a note on this insect in the
December number of Ent. News (p. 154) by Prof. Killicott, I wish to
state that argid/acea has been very rare the past season, if indeed it has
appeared at all, at Buffalo, N. Y. About October 1st, when it should be
most abundant, I was frequently out after moths, but failed to detect a
single example of this species.—E. P. VAN DUZEE. ;
We have recently heard from Mr. Wm. H. Ashmead, who writes from
No. 11 W. Alvensleben Strasse, Berlin, that he is having a good time
studying the large collections in the Museum. ‘The collection of
exotic Lepidoptera is simply grand, and, for a lepidopterist, is simply a
paradise. The Hymenoptera, especially in the micros, are poorly repre-
sented, but I find a good many intern forms in what they have among
the macros.’
*Ina letter dated November [r11th, 1890], accompanying the MS. of the above “ Addi-
tions,” Miss Wadsworth writes: ‘Some species quite common before have been much
less so this season, particularly Avxax junius, which, in 1889, was one of the most common
species. This year I saw but one specimen, and that on June 30th.” So far as my obser-
vations go, this remark is also true for the relative abundance of juzius in Delaware
County, Pa., in 1889 and 1890.—PH1Lip P. CALVERT.
a ‘
5
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1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13
Mr. C. W. JOHNSon’s report of capture of Neonympha Mitchellii at
Dover, N. J., in rocky and hilly territory, leads me to make a correction
as to its habits in Michigan. When first found I took only a few speci-
mens, and ‘all on a rather dry meadow, near a wet meadow and marsh.
Since then I find that they are much more common in the marshy portion
of the territory referred to. I have taken many specimens of Neonympha
Canthus, N. eurytris, N. sosybius and N. Mitchellii,—the sosybius in
Florida—and find Mitcheltii much closer to sosybius in habits of flight
than to either of the others. It flies low, for short distances, in a weakly
manner, and is best started by beating up, or by walking rapidly and
noisily through the grass. Sosydivs is stronger and quicker on the wing,
is a more “‘artful dodger,”’ and flies a little farther. If there is more than
one brood of Mitchediii in a season, the last one begins to fly July rst. I
have taken it from July 1st to roth. As far as I can tell it comes in quickly
and goes off the field rather abruptly after a short period of life.
I. N. MITCHELL.
DEVELOPMENT OF DIBOLIA 4&REA.—The habits of this little beetle ap-
pear to be familiar, but the following notes on its period of development
may be of interest: The larve were found abundantly on Plantain (P/an-
tago major) at LeClaire, lowa, about Aug. 1, 1890. They make an open.
ing in the epidermis of the leaf which they enter, gradually eating their
way. Sometimes a larva makes a tunnel, then goes back and starts a
branch to it. If the leaf becomes too dry, some will leave and enter a
fresh one, but in ordinary cases they remain in their leaf until they are
ready to pupate. When full grown they are 3-4 mm. in length. The
period of pupation is fourteen days. Up to the twelfth day the pupa is
yellow, on that day a slight coloring of the eyes is noticed, the following
day the tarsi become black, and the fourteenth day the beetle appears,
becomes entirely black and begins to move about. Eight beetles lived
five days after emergence without food; after Plantain leaves were intro-
duced they ate freely —P. H. Roirs, Ames, Ia.
I HAVE observed this past season an unusual number of the larvze of
Sphinx quinguemaculata on the tomato vines. In the Summer of 1881
they were a veritable pest in this locality, but since then they were scarce,
only an occasional isolated specimen being found until the late Summer,
when they were again abundant. The country people are very much
afraid of them, and one frequently hears extravagant tales of horrible
suffering from the effects of their sting. e
I find the observations made relative to the limited range of Satyrus
alope ( January number) corroborated by my own knowledge of the spe-
cies in this locality as I have observed the same individuals in the same
jocality until they died.
On August 12th I took a larva of C. regalis feeding on a plum tree; I
fed it plum leaves for a week when it pupated. This is, to me, a new
food-plant for C. regadis, as I have never found it on any thing but the
walnut.—STEPHEN BaLpy, Catawissa, Pa.
wes
ee
14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. . _ [January,
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subseribers.
Specimens will be named Sada the following conditions: 1st, The number dual
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Twelve names, if possible, will appear in each issue of News
according to number. Address packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL News, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa. >
¢
H. MeEsKE.—1, Cicindela 16-punctata; 2, Cicindela vulgaris, var.; 3,
Macrodactylus subspinosa,; 4, Cicindela pusilla, var. cyanellus; 5, Epi-
tragus canaliculatus; 6, Necrophorus marginatus; 7, Chrysochus auratus;
8, Trox sonore; 9, Hippodamia convergens; 10, Chrysomela scalaris.
E. WILKINSON.—2, Carpophilus palilpennis; 4, Sphaerophthalma or-
chis; 5, Bombus pennsylvanicus 3; 6, Orthosoma brunneum; 7, Necro-
phorus americanus, 8, Solpugide (belongs to); 9, Adlorhina nitida? io,
Eleodes longicollis; 11, Hippomelas celatus; 12, Psiloptera dilaticoliis.
Cuas. Fucus.—1, Zleodes hispilabris; 2, E. carbonaria, smooth var.;
3, EZ. quadricollis Q. 4, E. obsoleta, var.; 5, E. carbonaria, var. sonek:
6, E. extricata; 7, Discogenia dinate: 8, Eleodes cordata; 9, E. con-
sobrina; 10, E. cordata; 11, E. parvico lis; 12, E. obscura.
G. D. B.—1, Catocala concumbens; 2, Ctenucha virginica; 3, Micro-
celia obliterata; 4, Heliophila unipuncta; 5, Hadena sputatrix; 6, Ag-
10, Tetracis crocallata, 11, Pyrophila pyramidoides; 12, Metanema
civoraria. ;
From Haddonfield, N. J., wingless females of a Geometrid moth, per-
haps genus Anisopleryx. '
rotis messoria? 7, Plusia contexta; 8, Eustrotia carneola; 9, sea ger
+s
:
Entomological Literature.
BULLETIN FROM THE LABORATORIES OF NATURAL HISTORY OF THE
STATE UNIVERSITY OF Iowa, vol. ii, No. 1, contains the continuation of
the monograph entitled, ‘‘The Pselaphidz of North America, by E.
Brendel, M.D., and H. F. Wickham (concluded), 8gypp., 3 plates, 63 Bey
Full descriptions with synoptic tables of the species are given.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST, November, 1890. —Additions to the British Tit
of Deltoids, Pyralids and Crambi since 1859 (with plates), by Richard
South. The sexes of LEpipoprERA, by T. D. A. Cockerell. Contribu-
tions to the Chemistry of Insect Colors, by F. H. Perry Coste. Entomo-
logical notes, captures, etc. Doings of Societies.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE, November, 1890.—How
do Coccids produce cavities in Plants? by W. M. Maskell. Notes on the
Lepiporrera of Digne (Basses Alpes), by A. H. Jones. Entomological
_—e
1891.) ) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. . 15
notes from Aden and Colombo, by J.-J. Walker. Notes concerning Psocus
quadrimaculatus Latreille, of which Ps. subnebulosus Steph. is a synonym,
by Robert McLachlan. Aculeate HyMENopTERA collected by J. J. Walker
at Gibraltar and in North Africa, by Edw. Saunders. Notes and Captures,
Doings of Societies, etc., finish the number.
. Le : TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SocIETyY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA vol,
' t. 1.—Descriptions of Australian LeprpopTeRa, pt. 1, by E. Meyrick.
er notes on Australian CoLEopTERA, by Rev. T. Blackburn.
i ‘ONTRIBUTION TOWARD A KNOWLEDGE OF THE MoutuH Parts oF
. THE DiTerA, by Prof. J. B. Smith (from Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.). This
is an interesting essay of twenty pages with twenty-two figures; very little
has been written on the anatomy of the mouth parts of Diprera, and
Prof. Smith’s paper is an important addition to the literature of the sub-
ject. He states that he studied each organ in its entirety, in its rela-
tion to others, and in its development, and that the studies were morpho-
logical rather than anatomical.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE, December, 1890.—Notes
_ onthe British species of the genus Axthonomus, with a description of a
___ species new to Britain, by Rev. Canon Fowler. Hymenopterological
notes, by P. Cameron. Description of a new species of the genus Phan-
@us, by B. S. Nevinson. Trichoptera observed in the Exmoor District in
Autumn, by R. McLachlan. Observation on some British and exotic
Coccidz, by J. W. Douglas. Descriptions of two new species of Euplea
from the South Sea Islands, by Hamilton H. Druce. Great flight of
_ Gilex, Tipula and Tetramorium in New Zealand, by W. W. Smith.
Meyrick’s Pyralida of Europe, by Prof. C. H. Fernald. Trypeta bigelo-
vie n. sp., by T. D. A. Cockerell. On a new species of Zomoderus from
a Japan, by G. C. Champion. Noté-on the genus Dischidus, id. Bidessus
unistriatus in East Norfolk, id.; Avisotoma triepkei, etc., at Aviemore,
by R. W. Lloyd. Danais Reckibons at Eastbourne, by ‘A. H. Clarke.
Cherocampa nerii near Dartmouth, by Henry F. Owen. ‘Description of
the larva of Phoxopteryx upupana, by B. A. Bower. Insects in the
Scilly Isles, by C. W. Dale.
BULLETIN No. 11, November, 1890, Iowa Agricultural Experiment
Station. The Potato Stalk Weevil ( 7richobaris trinotata). The Apple
Curculio (Anthonomus 4-gibbus). A new Currant Borer .( flyperplatys
_aspersus). The life-histories and remedies against these i injurious insects
are given (illustrated). These entomological articles are by Prof. C. P.
Gillette.
WE have received the following from Prof. C. V. Riley, U. S. Ento-
mologist: Insecticides and Means of Applying them to Shade and Forest
_ Trees, by C. V. Riley, M.A., Ph.D. The Insectivorous Habits of the’
_ English Sparrow, by C. V. Riley. Insects Affecting the Hackberry (va-
ae [; species of Ce/tis), by C. V. Riley. These entomological papers are
all from various epernent publications.
16 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January,
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, vol. v, Nos. 456.
—Coleopterological Notices, by Capt. Thos. L. Casey. ‘This is the con- —
tinuation of a lengthy paper containing descriptions of many new species _
(pp. 97 to 198). Catalogue of LEprpoprEeRA found within fifty miles of
New York City, with their food plants, by Wm. Beutenmiiller. This is a
useful list, as it considers Rhopalocera and Heterocera, both macro and
micro, and will be a guide to collectors in the territory covered.
MEMOIRS AND PROCEEDINGS OF MANCHESTER LITERARY AND PHILO-
SOPHICAL SOCIETY, voi. iii, fourth series. HYMENOPTERA Orientalis, or
contributions to a knowledge of the HyMENopTERA of the Oriental z6-
ological region, by P. Cameron, pt. 2, pp. 239-284, 2 plates; contains new
genera and species.
OpuscuLa Entomovocica, C. G. Thomson, xiv, Fasciculus. Lund,
1890; xlii, Cremastius and allied genera;* Demophorus n. gen.; xiii
(synopsis of the genus Bassus Fab.*), Zootrephus, Promethus, Homopo-
rus, n. gen., xliv, Contribution to the Insect Fauna of Sweden,* Coleop-
tera and Hymenoptera.
ENTOMOLOGISKE MEDDELELSER UDGIVNE AF ENTOMOLOGISK FORE-
NING VED Fr. MEINERT. ANDET BIND, HEFTE TREDIE [and] FJERDE.
KJOBENHAVN, 1890.—This publication being in Danish, is beyond the ~
Reviewer. Hefte Tredie (part 3) contains a biologic and anatomic paper
on Anthophora parietina Fabr. by C. Wesenberg-Lund, 1 pl.
L’ AUXILIAIRE, ORGANE LIBRE DE LA FEDERATION DES APICULTEURS
FRANCAIS, Amiens 2e Annee, Nouvelle serie, Nos. 2-9, February—Sep-
tember, 1890.—The issues of this paper contain many articles on all sub-
jects of interest to those engaged in Bee culture, as well as on other topics
not relating to entomology. Of entomological articles other than those
on apiculture, we note one on ‘‘The Flies of the Pears’ (Cecitdomyia
nigra and Sciara piri) by E. André.
_CoMpTE-RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, 4 Oct. 1890.
—Note on the Cicindelide of Chota-Nagpore,* by E. Fleutiaux. Note
on some Spherionide,* by A. Lameere. First note on the Coleoptera
collected by M. Ed. Van Beneden in South America, by P. Pelseneer.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE, 3e Annee, No. 2, No-
vember, 1890.—Notes on the Thysanoura, iv, by R. Moniez. Materials
for the Entomological fauna of Flanders, 4th century, Coleoptera, by A.
P. de Borre.
ANNALEN DES K. K. NATURHISTORISCHEN HoFrMUsEUMS, v, No. 3,
Wien, 1890.—The Hymenopterous group of the Sphecinee. I. Monograph
of the natural genus Sp/e-r L. (sens. lat.) II. Abtheilung, by F. F. Kohl
(see Ent. News, vol. i, p. 164). Ichneumonid studies,* by Dr. J. Kriech-
baumer; Apechoneura, Opisorhyssa, Rhyssonota, Dyseidopus, new genera
of Pimplide; Thalessa? histrio, White Mountains; Opisorhyssa flavo-
picta, N. Amer. ?; new species from North America.
* Contains new species other than North American.
Peot.) . ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 17
«Lg Natura iste (Paris), Nov. 15, 1890.—Habits and Metamorphoses
of Larinus ursus Fab., by Capt. Xambeu. On the horn of a chrysalis
| Deilephila euphorbiz, by P. Chretien; with woodcuts.
A SyNnonyMIc CATALOGUE OF NEUROPTERA ODONATA, OR DRAGON-
- With an appendix of fossil species, by W. F. Kirby, F.L.S.,
E.S., etc. London, Gurney & Jackson; Berlin, R. Friedlander & Son,
9, 8vo, pp. ix, 202. Price, 16s. ($4.00)
4is important work, although published early in September, 1890, was
een by the reviewer until Dec. 6, 1890. A review of it has been pub-
(in French) by Baron de Selys Longchamps in his ‘‘ Causeries
. ologiques,’’ No. 2 (Compte-Rendu. Sac. Ent. Belg., Sept. 6, 1890,
pp. clvii-clxiv; see Ent. News, vol. i, p. 164), which has been seen by the
present reviewer.
Pages 1-164 of the catalogue contain the living species, giving the syn-
Aj ym} , the chief bibliographical references and the general distribution
each species. Appendix I, pp. 165-176, does the same for the fossil
s. Appendix II, pp. 177-187, comprises additions and corrections.
sneral index of all the specific and generic names, both accepted and
n ic, completes the work.
The following table shows the classification adopted, with the number
genera and species listed, including the additions and corrections, as
cted by the reviewer:
«oliving special Fomel specie, Living species
world. world. north of Mexico.
oo Genera Species |Genera |Species |Genera |Species
y 1. LIBELLULID.
amily 1. Libelluline....... 102 | 503 3 26 16 67
Ldaad 2, Corduliine....... 22 | 144 I 2 7 37
2. AESCHNIDE. y
pfamily 1. Gomphinz........ Miss «ae 10 30 Lins
ision 1. Gomphina ........ 36 | @aeeesor ..... 8 48
aa .. 2-Cordulegastrina.| 15 ON ae 4 9
Subfamily 2. Aéschninz......... 25 | 112 2 12 6 24
Family 3. AGRIONIDz.
Subfamily 1. Agrioninz......... 33 | 234 x 6 2 18
(= Calopterygina auct.)
Subfamily 2. Coenagrioninz.. 27
v. 1. Pseudostigmatina... 5 a: 15G:., Pat ihe 8.
“2. Normostigmatina....| 77 SOa ees. aea. 12 56
315 | 1810} 26 103 55 | 259
——
or de Selys has already pointed out that Mr. Kirby makes a number
ges in the names of well known genera and species, chiefly on the
of priority. To these Baron de Selys strongly objects; his views
I*
18 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January,
are entirely in accord with those of the present reviewer, who thinks that
they will be adopted by Odonatists generally. The chief changes, so far
as they affect North American dragonflies, are as follows: the first in each
pair of names being the one used by Mr. Kirby. Sympetrum = Diplax,
Lib. lydia Dru. = trimaculata DeGeer, Lib. vibrans Fabr. = lydia Dru.
Hag., 1861), Diastatomma = Ophiogomphus, Aeshna (without c) = Gom-
phus, Aeschna (with c) retained = Aeschua, Agrion = Calopteryx, Mi-
cronympha = Ischnura, Cenagrion = Agrion. Even if it be a fact that
many of the changes here noted rest on a priority of a few years, inas-
much as the names to be supplanted have been in general use for many
(in some cases over fifty) years, it seems to the reviewer totally unneces-
- sary to change them. The rule of priority may be very good in the ab-
stract, but when it conflicts with that better rule of long and common use, —
it is more to be honored in the breach than in the observance. For him-
self, the reviewer proposes to continue using the old nomenclature until
more convincing reasons for changing are presented.
In spite of these serious faults, this Catalogue is a most useful and valu-
able work. It furnishes us, in a commodious form, with a key to our
present knowledge of the Odonata, both living and fossil. The most
excellent index at the end of the volume affords a ready means of locating
any name which has been proposed in this group of insects. Finally, no
student of the Odonata can do without it.—PuHILip P. CALVERT.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, No. 19, October, 1890.—New
Ichneumon flies from north and middle Germany,* by Dr. Kriechbaumer.
On Aylemyia penicillaris Rnd. and some similar species, by P. Stein.
Pelecium Drakei,* n. sp. of the Coleopterous tribe of the Stomidz, by
G. Quedenfeldt; trom Matto-Grosso, S. America. No. 20, October, 1890.
—Entomological notes, by Prof. Dr. F. Thomas (on Chionea, Niptus,
Chrysopa, Leiosomus, Byturus). On Ornithomyia turdi Latr., and on
the author of Bibio anglicus, V. v. Roder. Victor Antoine Signoret, by
L. Fairmaire. No. 21, November, 1890.—A contribution to the German
Hymenopterous Fauna,* by C. Verhoeff.
Doings of Societies.
A Regular Meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of ©
Natural Sciences was held Oct. 23, 1890, Director Dr. Horn in the chair.
Members present: Ridings, Laurent and Skinner. Associates: Fox,
Westcott and Dr. Castle. Dr. Stephens, of Plymouth, Mass., visitor. A
paper entitled, Mouth Parts of Diptera, by Prof. J. B. Smith, was presented
and referred to the Publication Committee. Dr. Horn referred to his
studies on Throscidz and Eucnemide for the Biologia Centrali-Americana.
The material had been received on April 15th and the corrected proof
returned October 15th. The completed work will make sixty-five quarto
* Contains new species other than North American,
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 19
pages: He also spoke of a contemplated work on Agrilus. Mr. Ridings
mentioned the fact that whiskey attracted ants, and that they were intoxi-
cated by it. Dr. Horn spoke of the habits of Xy/eborus pyri, a beetle
which bores in fruit trees. He had found fyvi identical with the European
X. dispar, having compared them side by side. A number of fine addi-
tions have been lately made to the Cabinet of the Society, among them
_ forty-two specimens of Noctuidz, representing thirty-one species new to
_ the collection, presented by Mrs. A. ‘I’. Slosson. A number of fine Hes-
peridze from Mr. Martindale, and a collection of Hymenoptera and Diptera
from Mr. Ernest Seeber, all collected in his own yard.
Meeting held Nov. 27, 1890. Director Dr. Horn presiding. Members
present: Martindale, Laurent and Skinner. Associates: Welles and John-
son. Dr. Horn described the results of his studies on Ar@oschizus and
Cryptohypnus. The genus Argoschizus is composed of small and rare
beetles about the size of ants, and look much alike. The forms of head,
elytra, etc , were described and illustrated. Cryptohypnus is represented
_by small Elater-like beetles which have been in confusion on account of
the characters not being well understood. The differential diagnoses
based on anatomical differences were considered. The relationships of
the European and American species were discussed. Dr. Horn did not
consider any of them identical, but parallel species. He also stated that
he had discovered two new species of //eodes with long tails to the elytra,
although belonging to different groups. One had a peculiar male char-
acter of the tibia which was described. The nomination of Mr. Charles
S. Welles as a member was read. Mr. David Jayne Bullock was duly
elected a member of the Section.
Meeting held Dec. 8, 1890. Dr. Horn in the chair. Members present:
‘ Martindale, Blake, Laurent, G. B. Cresson, Skinner. Associates: Calvert,
% Welles, Dr. Castle, Fox. The Director announced the death of Dr.
Samuel Lewis. Mr. Martindale exhibited his new form of cabinet drawer
for LEPIDOPTERA with the upper and underside of glass, and having
movable strips for pinning on the specimens. This gives the opportunity
to examine the underside of the specimens without removal (see NEws,
vol. i). Mr. Calvert exhibited a female of Libel/uda pulchella with an
imperfectly developed wing. A drawing-on the blackboard was made
illustrating the puculiarities in venation. The specimen had been loaned
. to him by Mr. C. W. Johnson, and was taken in the upper part of the city.
_ He also stated that in 1865 Mr. Scudder reported dragonflies in great
abundance at Hermit Lake, in the White Mountains. On a visit there,
himself, he did not find them nearly as plentiful as stated by Mr. Scudder.
It was of interest to compare the different collecting experiences after an
interval of twenty-five years. Kirby’s Catalogue of the Odonata of the
__ world was exhibited and commented on. The question of priority was
2 _ discussed as set forth in the list. Dr. Skinner exhibited some fine speci-
; “Tee of entomological photography, the work of Mr. J. F. Sachse, editor
the ‘‘ American Journal of Photography.”’ The following were elected
20 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January,
officers to serve for the coming year: Director, Dr. G. H. Horn; Vice-
Director, H. C. McCook, D.D.; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson; Recorder,
Henry Skinner, M.D.; Publication Committee, Philip Laurent and Henry
Skinner, M.D.; Corresponding Secretary, Angelo Heilprin; Conservator,
Dr. Henry Skinner.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 1890.—Mr. Erwin
F. Smith was elected a member of the Society.
Mr. Schwarz exhibited a larva of the genus Caradus with deformed
maxillary palpi. The right palpus is normally formed, except ‘that the
suture between the first and second joints is nearly obliterated; the left
palpus is only 3-jointed, with the joints nearly transverse, as in Ca/osoma.
Mr. Marlatt exhibited three female specimens of a species of the Try-
phonid genus J/efopius. The strikingly large and peculiar ovipositor of
this species was described, and reference was made to the literature re-
lating to this genus, from which it appears that the female has never been
properly characterized, if indeed it has ever been described at all.
Dr. Marx gave some additional notes on his experiments with the bite
of Lathrodectus, but stated that the results had been wholly negative.
Mr. Howard read a paper entitled, ‘‘ The Habits of Pachyneuron,”’ in
which he referred to the breeding records of this genus of Chalcididz,
recording twenty distinct rearings in North America, and made a number
of interesting deductions therefrom.
Mr. Schwarz read a paper on the food habits of Corthylus punctatissimus.
This Scolytid, previously known to infest the subterranean part of the
stems of Sugar Maple saplings, was found in large numbers in the roots
and subterranean stems of the common huckleberry, Gay/ussacia resinosa,
in the vicinity of Washington during September and October. In this
connection Mr. Schwarz presented the description of a second North
American Corthylus, C. spinifer, from semi-tropical Florida.
Mr. Marlatt presented a paper on the Final Molting of Tenthredinid
Larve, in which he described the molting undergone by the larva of nearly
all saw-flies after full growth is reached and just prior to spinning up or ©
entering the ground to pupate, describing also the accompanying change
of color. Reference was made to the scanty literature of the subject and
the explanation of this molt by Cameron on the ground of protection.
Mr. Townsend read a paper on the Leptid (Dipterous) genera 77ipio-
tricha Lw. and Agnotomyia Will. Mr. Townsend does not believe that
the species of 77ipfotricha, with only one front tibial spur, should, with-
out other distinguishing characters, be generically separated from those
possessing two. ’
Mr. Fernow called attention to the ravages of Gastropacha monacha, .
particularly in Bavaria, stating that it has probably been introduced in the
present instance from Italy.
General discussion followed on a novel method employed in Europe of
collecting and destroying this Bombycid.
C. L. MARLATT,
Recording Secretary.
‘II ‘Id ‘II 1I9A
USP
“SITV93aY VINOYSHLIO
‘SMON 20Q
“SPAT!
|
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Duplicates marked + Desiderata marked —
one For Sale by ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Apply to the Editor.
PRICE.—Single copy, 5 cents; two to ten copies, 3 cents each; over ten copies, 2 cents each.
Papilio Neophasia sara paleno
> menapia . stella pelidne
wre ee a suffusa thoosa philodice
b walshii terlooii a anthyale
marcellus Callidryas b albinic
a telamonides Pieris agarithe ¢ melanic
amevicus amaryllis argante d nig
. beckerii cipris e virida
See ikihen ilaire eubule scudderii
b Sr peer philea Teri
a phileta sen ‘rias
a napi statira a
iar a@ acadica ela
ae al b bryoniz Kricogonia elathea —
oa .. ¢ borealis fantasia gundlachia
Bia d flava lanice te aig
e frigida lyside inda
IS wag f hulda a terissa lisa
machaon g oleracea a flava
a aliaska h pallida Gonepteryx = mexicana
mylotes A gee nara Be
a nelsoni clorinde @ flava
ax oa occidentalis ¢proterpia
, a calyce Meganostoma _ westwoodii
protodice cesonia
a vernalis eurydice Thecla
rape a amorphe acis
a immaculata acadica
b marginalis Colias affinis
¢ manni alexandra adenostomatis
d nov-angliz behrii alcestis
e yreka boothii apama
sisymbri a chione augustus
virginiensis chippewa auretorum
christina antolychus
Nathalis a astrea behrii
iole edwardsii calanus
a irene elis a lorata
emilia californica
Anthocharis — eurytheme @ cyanus
ausonides a ariadne castalis
a coloradensis b eriphyle chalcis
cethura c keewaydin clytie
creusa harfordii- columella
genutia hecla erysalus
hyantis a glacialis @ citima
julia b hela dryope
lanceolata interior dumetorum
morrisoni meadii edwardsii
olympia moina eryphon
pima nastes favonius
reakirtii occidentalis fotis
rosa a chrysomelas
EXCHANGE LIST.
DUMTEAPLIES OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO.
Compiled by Dr. HENRY SKINNER.
List of duplicates and desiderata of...
fuliginosa
ll
grunus
halesus
henrici
humuli
ines
iroides
irus
_@ arsace
b mossii
itys
leta
leda
m-album
melinus
a pudica
nelsoni
a exoleta
6 muirii
niphon
ontario
poeas
_putnami
sepium
a fulvescens
sheridanii
siva
smilacis
spinetorum
spadix
strigosa
sylvinus
tacita
tetra
titus
witfeldii
Feniseca
tarquinius
Chrysophanus
arota
cupreus
dione
doreas
editha
epixanthe
florus
gorgon
helloides
hermes
hypophleas
a@ americana
a fasciata
e feildeni
mariposa
rubidus
sirius
snowi
the
virginiensis
xanthoides
Zerce
amica
amyntula}
ammon
anna
annetta
antiacis
a behrii
b mertila
aquilo
ardea
aster
battoides
clara
comyntas
couperii
eyna
deedalus
exilis
fulla
filenus
glaucon
gyas
heteronea
icaroidés
a@ maricopa
isophthalma
kodiak
lotis
lycea
lygdamus
a@ oro
marina
monica
pembina
pheres
phileros
podarce
pseudargiolus
@ arizonensis
b cinerea
e lucia
d marginata
e neglecta
f nigra
g violacea
rustica
seepiolus
sagittigera
scudderii
shasta
sonorensis
speciosa
striata
theonus
xerxes
Lemonias
ares
a cleis
cythera
duryi
mormo
nais
palmerii
virgulti
Eurygona
abreas
Calephelis
australis
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archippus
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Ceratinia
lycaste
a@ negreta
Mechanitis
californica
Dircenna
klugii
Colzenis
delila
julia
Agraulis
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Euptoieta
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carpenterii
chariclea
a obscurata
chitone
clio
columbia
coronis
cybele
cypris
diana
edwardsii
egleis
*
@ tarquinius
frigga
a@ saga
haleyone
helena
montinus
monticola
@ purpurascens
montivaga
myrina
nausicaai,
nevadensis
@ meadii
nitocris
nokomis
opis
polaris
rhodope
rupestris
a irene
semiramis
triclaris
zerene
Melita
acastus
albiplaga
alma
anicia
arachne
augusta
baroni
bollii
brucei
chalcedon
a awinellei
gabbii
harrisii
helvia
hofmanni
a helcita
leanira
a obsoleta -
meglashani
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS—SUPPLEMENT. ili
a oreas
silvius
zephryus
Vanessa
antiopa
a hygiwea
californica
milberti
Pyrameis
atalanta
ceardui
a elymi
b ate
carye
huntera
Junonia
ceenia
a orythia
genoveva
Anartia
jatrophe
Eurema
lethe
Eunica
monima
Callicore
clymena
Timetes
chiron
coresia
eleucha
petreus
Diadema
misippus
Limenitis
arthemis
@ laminia
b proserpina
disippus
a floridensis
ros
a obsoleta
hulstii
lorquini
ursula
@ arizonensis
weidemeyerii
@ sine-fascia
Heterochroa
californica
Apatura
alicia
antonia
@ montis
celtis
celyton
@ proserpina
b ocellata
cocles
flora
leila
Paphia
morrisonii
troglodyta
Ageronia
feronia
fornax
Victorina
steneles
Diadema
Debis
portlandia
Neonympha
areolatus
eanthus
eurytris
gemma
henshawi
mitchellii
rubricata
sosybius
Joenonympha
ampelos
brenda
california
a ceres
b eryngii
c galactinus
d pulla
elko
inornata
kodiak
ochracea
pamphiloides
Erebia
disa
‘@ manecinus
haydenii
magdalena
rossii
sofia
tyndarus
a callias
vesagus
Geirochilus
tritonia
Hipparchia
dionysius
ridingsii
Satyrus
alope
a texana
6 maritima
e nephele ~
d olympus
e boopis
f incana
ariane
ashtaroth
baroni
charon
gabii
meadii
cetus
paulus
pegala
silvestris
sthenele
wheeleri
Chionobas
calais
californica
ivallda
jutta
macounii
nevadensis
norna
semidea
subhyalina
tarpeia
taygete
uhleri
varuna
Carterocephalus
mandan
omaha
Ancyloxypha
numitor -
Copzeodes
arene
eunus
myrtis
procris
a@ waco
wrightii
Thymelicus
garita
poweschiek
Pamphila
aaroni
accius
agricola
arabus
arpa
attalus
baracoa
bellus
bimacula
brettoides
brettus
lV
byssus
cabelus
campestris
carus
cernes
cestus
chusca
colorado
columbia
comus
delaware
deva
dion
draco
ethlius
eufala
fusca
harpalus
hianna
horus
huron
juba
a viridis
lagus
lasus
leonardus
licinus
loammi
lunus
maculata
manataaqua
manitoba
manitobaoides
mardon
massasoit
melane
meskei
metacomet
metea
milo
morrisonii
mystic
napa
nemorum
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS—SUPPLEMENT.
nereus
nevada
ocola
oregonia
osyka
otho
a egeremet
ottce
palatka
panoquin
pawnee
peckius
phyleus
pittacus
pontiac
pratincola
phylace
python
rhena
rhesus
ruricola
sabuleti
sassacus
siris
slossone
snowi
sylvanoides
taxiles
uncas
verna
verus
vestris
viator
vitellius
yuma
zabulon
a hobomok
b pocohontas
Amblyscirtes
eenus
cassus
eos
nanno
nysa
samoset
simius
textor
vialis
Pyrgus
centaurese
cespitalis
domicella
a@ nearchus
ericetorum
locutia
nessus
oceanus
philetas
tessellata
a montivagus
xanthus
Nisoniades
afranius
alpheus
ausonius
brizo
clitus
funeralis
icelus
juvenalis
lucilius
martialis
neevius
pacuvius
persius
petronius
_propertius
somnus
tatius
tristis
Systasea
zampa
Pholisora
catullus |
ceos 4
hayhurstii
lena
libya
pirus
Achlodes
thraso
Eudamus
albofasciatus
simplicius
tityrus
zestos
Erycides
amyntas
batabano
sanguinea
texana
urania
Pyrrhopyga
araxes
Megathymus
cofaqui
neumegenii
yucce
a coloradensis
f
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VoL. U1. FEBRUARY, 18o1. No. 2.
CONTENTS:
Remarks on Illustration..............:sssesee 21 | Van Duzee—Immigration Story.......... 30
Lugger—Notes on Coleoptera......-ssee-+ 21 | Fox—A new species of Nyssonide....... 31
Ottolengui — Lepidoptera at Electric Notes atid: NewSsecsmapagersss. clas .cccccossceoes 32
BNI sab es-cunepusys vecnes ucesasestrevaiqq000s soe 23 | Entomological Literature........cceeeeee 37
P. P. C.—Elementary Entomology....... 27
Illustration No. 2,—About ten months are supposed to have
elapsed, and we now present our larva figured inVol. II, PI. I, trans-
formed into an imago. This was also photographed by Mr. J.
F. Sachse, editor of the ‘‘ American Journal of Photography,”’
to whom we are indebted for the plate.—Eb.
vay
NOTES ON COLEOPTERA.
BY PROF. OTTO LUGGER.
Cremastochilus Knochii Lec.—This beetle is rather abun-
dant in the vicinity of our Experiment Station (St. Anthony Park,
Minnesota), and occurs here from early Spring till late in fall.
One field seems to be its favorite breeding ground. It is a field
with poor and rather sandy soil, thoroughly exhausted by con-
- stant croppings, so that even oats can no longer be produced suc-
cessfully. Being simply held on speculation for building lots, it
is decidedly neglected for farming purposes. This field forms,
however, not a bad hunting ground for a number of insects, and,
besides other species of beetles Harfalus erraticus Say, Bolbo-
_ eeras farctus and lazarus Fab. and Cremastochilus Knochii Lec.
_ are very common. With the exception of the latter all have to
2
22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
be dug from the soil. But as they prefer to make their abode in
solid ground, in a narrow path, they are easily found, as their
presence is always indicated by a perfectly round hole, the size
of which showing the particular species which made it. The
Cremastochilus also frequents this path, and is usually found
slowly crawling about, and most frequently several are found in
close proximity to each other. A large number of small ants
have also nests in this hard-trodden soil; these nests are under-
ve 4 = ee :
Lr clair
eye
es : a ‘%
Fras!
ground galleries, with exceedingly small openings towards the
light, not much larger than the holes made by the heads of com-
mon pins.
Observation 1.—A Cyvemastochilus surrounded by numerous
ants, was gradually pushed by them in a certain direction. The ~
beetle was perfectly quiet, and offered no resistance to the ants,
nor did it assist them in any perceptible way. As the process of
moving such an immense object was exceedingly slow, I did not
observe the ultimate destination of the procession. |
Observation 2.—A Cvemastochilus was found sitting right over ~
one of the small entrances of an ant nest. With slow and very
deliberate actions the beetle gradually enlarged the hole under it,
and in the course of nearly seven hours disappeared from view.
During all this time not a single ant appeared in its vicinity, nor
did any assist the beetle in its efforts to penetrate to the nest
below.
oP ” mY ee
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 23
_ Observation 3.—Very similar to observation 2, only a number
of ants assisted the beetle by removing the dirt scraped out by
the latter.
Observation 4 —Early in Spring I found a number of these
beetles mating above ground. Confining some in a low round
jar, filled with earth to a depth of three inches, they soon disap-
peared from the surface. They lived in this jar for about two
months, mostly hidden in the earth, but whenever the jar was
exposed to the warming influence of the sun the beetles reap-
peared upon the surface and moved about rather actively for such
slow insects. Several times they attempted to fly away. As I
wished to obtain the eggs, I investigated the soil, and found a
very peculiar structure in it, as illustrated in figure in natural
size. The cavity was rather smooth inside and large enough to
harbor the five pairs of beetles living in the jar. No eggs were
‘discovered, but all ten beetles were found dead in the room made
by themselves. As the upper roof of the nest was broken up in
removing the soil from the jar, I do not know whether there was
one or more entrances to this room.
Next season I intend to establish a formicarium with such
beetles, with the view of studying the relations between them and
the ants.
If I recollect right the locality for Omus submetallicus Horn
seems to be in doubt. I have recently obtained a specimen from
Washington.
().
LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA TAKEN AT ELECTRIC LIGHTS
IN BROOKLYN, WITH NOTES THEREON.
BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI, M.D.S.
I am only a beginner, this Summer having been my first season,
nevertheless I am told that my catch has been a remarkable one;
remarkable in that it shows what may be done by thorough work
in a single section. Seventy-five nights this Summer my sister
and myself were out with our nets and bottles. The first night,
early in May, we walked about aimlessly till we found an electric
light near the ground, and here, and at the one next to it, we
took fifty insects, the first being a Luna, which my sister cap-
tured. I will say here that, though we took other specimens of
Luna, afterward we never took one having, like this one, a dis-
s
24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
tinct border at the edge of all four wings. Subsequentiy, we
tried other localities, but never had much luck; therefore, we
finally went nowhere else; thus the following list shows what can
be done in a single secluded, well-lighted spot near foliage, in
the heart of a great city. I will mention the number taken when
the insect is rare, or when only a few were captured. Of the
others we took, or refused quantities, except of Geometride.
SPHINGIDZ.
Of Sphingidz we never took a specimen till after ten o’ clock.
Thyreus Abbottit, two males; Deitlephila lineata, one male; Phi-
lampelus achemon, one male. Of this beautiful species I saw
another specimen, but failed to get it. It alighted on a tree, and
after climbing I saw no chance to get it in my net. I returned
to the ground and took a bottle, but though I was most careful
in trying to place the bottle over him, he dropped between the
leaves and was seen no more. This lesson, however, proved of
value, and later I secured a valuable insect under similar ciréum-
stances as will be told. veryx myron, three males and one
female; Smerinthus geminatus, two males; Calasymbolus (Smer-
inthus) myops, three pairs; Ceratomia amyntor, eight males; Da-
remma undulosa, one pair; Phlegethontius carolina, eight males
and two females. One of these males is the valuable insect to
which I referred. It is wood-brown, about the same shade as
Ceratomia amyntor. Mr. Henry Edwards tells me that there is
an insect in South America exactly like my specimen, which is
counted a species, but which he has thought to be but a variety
of S. Carolina, hence the extreme interest in finding this light
variety in this latitude. This was at rest in the tree, as was the
other which I lost. Profiting by experience, I took it with my
fingers, thumb and finger above and below the thorax. It is only
slightly ruffled on the upper side and not noticeable. Phlege-
thontius celeus, two males; Sphinx drupiferarum, one female;
Sphinx kalmieg, one male. Total, 40; not bad, I think, for late
night hunting.
ZYGAENIDE.
Alypia octomaculata, two pairs; Eudryas grata, three pairs;
Scepsis fulvicollis.
BOMBYCES.—Arctia nats, one male and one female; Arctia
arge, one pair; Pyrrharctia isabella. From a lot of these I have
rr: =" « 5
o
Ter ss
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 25
picked out a set of seven males which show a gradual variation
from having but a single spot on each wing to having very large
black spots on the wings. Lewcarctia acrea; males fairly com-
mon; took but one female. Spilosoma virginica, Hyphaniria
textor, Euchetes collaris, two pairs; Halisidota carye. Itooka
number of these, one pair only, having a spot on the secondaries,
Orgyia leucosigma. One of my specimens Mr. Edwards says is
the largest that he has ever seen. It measures one and a half
inches. Afatelodes torrefacta, one male; Datana angusz, one
male; Datana intergerrima, Datana perspicua, five pairs; Nadata
gibbosa, five males. In one the silver spots on primaries are
almost invisible. Lophodonta ferruginea, two males, one having
secondaries all gray. Edema albifrons, one pair; Setrodonta
bilineata, one pair; Celodasys unicornis, one pair; Celodasys
2; one male only. Several well known collectors have
failed to identify this. Janassa lignicolor, one male; a beautiful
specimen, Heterocampa unicolor; a beautiful pair of this which
I believe is difficult to take perfect. The male was taken in May
and the female in last week of July. Cerura borealis, one male;
Cerura occidentalis, one male; Cerura cinerea one pair; Actias
luna, six males; Philosamia cynthia, Callosamia promethea, Cal-
losamia angulifera, two females; Platysamia cecropia, Hyper-
chiria io, thirty males. I took many beautiful varieties of this
one the primaries almost all cream color, another heavily shaded
with black. Lacles imperiales, thirty males and three females.
Citheronia regalis, two pairs; Dryocampa rubicunda, four males.
Clisiocampa americana, Artace punctistriga, four males; Cossus
centerensis, one male. I think this is the first reported from this
locality. Prionoxystus robine, three females.
NOCTU 42.—AHabrosyne scripta, ten pairs. A remarkable
catch I am told; very bright, beautiful specimens. Raphia
frater, Apatela occidentalis, one pair; Apatela lobelile, Apatela
hasta, one pair; Apatela americana, one male; Apatelis hamamelis,
one male; Apatela innotata, one male; Apatela dissecta, one male;
Apatela oblinita, Agrotis C-nigrum, Agrotis plecta, Agrotis
cupida, one male; Agrotis verticalis, one male; Agrotis annexa,
one female; Agvotis malefida, Agrotis ypsilon, Agrotis saucia,
Mamestra picta, Mamestra arctica, one pair; Mamestra renigera,
Hladena devastatrix, Hadena vulvivaga, Hadena ?; one
Specimen only. Several collectors have failed to identify this.
26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
Prodenia commeline, one pair; Euplexia lucipera, one female;
Nephelodes minians and var. violans, of each one male; Gortyna
nebris and var. xztfella, of each one male; Achatodes zee, one
male; Heliophila albilinea, Heliophila phragmitidicola, Helio-
phila unipuncta, Heliophila pseudargyra; oddly enough, I took
but one specimen of this. Heliophila pseudargyra var. callide,
one female; Orthodes infirma, one pair; Cucullia convexipennis,
* one pair; Cucullia asteroides, Cucullia —-?; absent in three
large collections. Telestlla cinereola, two pairs; Plusia @rea,
Plusia precationis, Plusia ni, Plusia simplex, Tamilla nundina;
Melicleptria thoreani this I do not find in Grote’s List, and I
may have the specific name wrong.* Melicleptria ———? Mr.
Henry Edwards thinks this an entirely new species. Heliothis
armiger, Ligranthecia spragnei Chamyris cerintha, one pair;
Drasteria erechtea and var. agricola, Euclidia cuspida, Paralelis
bistriaris, Homoptera edusa, Homoptera lunata, Epixeuxis ameri-
calis, one female; Chytolyta morbidalis, Hypena evanidalis, Fly-
pena scabra, Hypena baltimoralis.
GEOMETRID.
Cherodes transversata, Caberodes confusaria, Ennomos alni-
aria, Eudalimia subsignaria; took both sexes. Endropia hypo-
charia, Metrocampa margaritata, Angerona crocataria, Anagoga
occiduaria, Acidalia ennucleata, Acidalia qguinqueliniaria, Ca-
terva catenaria, Tephrosia canadaria, Paraphia subatomaria,
Anticlea vasiliata, Petrophora diversilineata, Boarmia crepuscu-
laria, Eubeca cognitaria.
In making out this list I have followed Grote. In addition to
those enumerated I took fifty specimens of Zeuzera esculi found
recently in this country. This insect was first reported in Newark.
I have not yet heard of others taking it in Brooklyn. I found it
quite common and enduring for three weeks. Had I known the
the rarity of it, and value for exchange, I could easily have taken
two hundred. I took, however, only two females, and those
under peculiar circumstances. One night it rained so hard that
I abandoned all idea of hunting, and made a social call. Re-
turning about eleven o’clock I walked home, the rain having
ceased. Walking along an asphalt roadway, lighted by electric
lamps, I found hundreds of insects swamped on the wet pave-
ment. Finally, I came to a little pool of water in which I noticed
* No. 969, Grote’s List.—Eb.
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 27
two large insects floundering about. I took them out, placed
them in an envelope, and hurried home, where I transferred them
to a bottle. They were two females of the Zeuzera, and when
dried made excellent specimens; antennz perfect, and markings
brighter than any of the males. I took and mounted during the
season 2000 specimens exclusive of diurnals.
a
U
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Eighth Paper.—INTERNAL ANATOMY (concluded).
-The nervous system consists of a series of paired nerve-knots,
or ganglia, connected by two nerve cords (commissures), and
extending the entire length of the body. Typically, there is a
pair of ganglia to each segment of the body, but usually the num-
ber of pairs is less than the number of segments, owing to the _
union of adjacent pairs. This nerve chain lies below (ventral to)
the alimentary canal for the greater part of the body, but in the
head, the two commissures pass upwards, one on each side of
the cesophagus to a mass of united ganglia lying on the dorsal
side of the canal in the head. This mass is the drain, or supra-
esophagial ganglion; it is thought to be formed by the union of
several pairs of ganglia corresponding to the number of segments
of which the head is formed.
From the ganglia of this nerve chain, nerves are given off to
surrounding organs. Certain other ganglia are connected with
this nerve chain which do not correspond in position to the seg-
ments. These latter ganglia supply by their branches the ali-
mentary canal and the trachee.
The organs of sight are the simple and the compound eyes.*
#* See ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, vol. i, p. 104.
In 1888 and 1889, Prof. Felix Plateau published in French the results of his studies on
the vision of Arthropods. Dr. David Sharp, of London, gave an account of these ex-
periments in the ‘‘ Transactions of the Entomological Society of London” for 1889, p. 397,
et seg., concluding with two “ general impressions” which he has “ derived from the study
of Prof. Plateau’s valuable experiments.”
1. ‘‘ That insects in motion a" largely guided by the Rigection of light and the existence
of lights and shades. .....
2. ‘‘ That there is at present no evidence at all that the light-perceptions are sufficiently _
complex to be entitled to be cailed seeing; but that, as the large development of the com-
pound eye permits the simultaneous perception of movement, its direction, and of lights
and shades over a certain area, a dragonfly may pursue and capture another insect without
seeing it in our sense of the word seeing. (Trans. |. c. pp. 407, 408).”
28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
Certain sense organs, supposed to be those of hearing, exist in
the first abdominal segment, and in the tibize of the first pair of
legs in various insects (Grasshoppers).
Organs of smell are believed to exist in the antennz of many
insects.
Organs of taste are thought to be preset in the labium and
maxillz of some insects. ed
The antenne play the part of organs of touch to a great extent.
The muscles of an insect are very numerous. They are slender,
faint yellowish fibres, transversely striated, not enclosed in sheaths.
They are arranged in correspondence with the segments of the
body wall and the joints of the appendages.
The respiratory system in insects consists of air tubes, or tra-
chee.* They have their external openings, called spiracles, or
stigmata, in the pleura of the thoracic and first eight abdominal
segments, one pair to each segment. The number of pairs is
thus never more than eleven, and is usually less. In the thoracic
segments, at least, the spiracles are situated in the peritremes,
and are usually guarded by hairs, or a chitinous piece, acting as
avalve. A short trachea runs inwards from each spiracle to a
large longitudinal trachea, one of which runs along each side of
the body. These two large trachez are connected by cross-
trachez, corresponding in position to the segments of the body
wall. From the two main tracheze and the cross-trachez, nu-
merous branches are given off in all directions, to all parts of the
body, thus supplying the organs directly and not indirectly
through the blood as in vertebrates. So numerous are the
branches of the trachez that they also serve to hold other internal
. organs in position.
The trachez are sometimes dilated into air-sacs, which pled
decrease the specific gravity of the insect. Air-sacs occur only
in imagos of flying insects, and not in larve, or in imagos of
creeping insects.
Aquatic insects breathe either (1) air which they take from
above the water’s surface, or (2) air which is mixed with the
water. In the first case the insect carries, by its wings, or other
means, a bubble of air obtained at the water’s surface; or, its
spiracles are prolonged into long tubes which reach to the water's
surface while the insect is below it. Insects breathing the air
* See ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, Vol. i, pp. 71, 141.
ane
ee ee
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 29
which is mixed with the water, are provided with so-called tra-
cheal gills. These are usually thin, thread-like, or plate-like
expansions of the body wall, richly furnished with trachee. The
thin walls of these gills permit an interchange between the air in
the water and the air in the trachee. Tracheal gills may be en-
tirely external, or may exist within the hind part of the intestine.
In that they are supplied only with trachez containing air to be
purified, tracheal gills differ from true gills of fishes and crusta-
ceans, whose vessels contain blood to be purified.
‘The act of respiration consists’ in the alternate dilatation and
contraction of the abdominal segments, the air entering the body
chiefly at the thoracic spiracles. As in vertebrates, the frequency
of the acts of breathing increases after exertion. , . . . ‘Inthe
pupa and larva state, respiration is performed more equally by
all the spiracles, and less especially by the thoracic ones.’ ’’
(Packard)
Insects are unisexual, z.e., the males and females are different
individuals.* No external characters, such as shape, color, etc.,
can be given to distinguish between the sexes of all insects. The
reproductive organs are contained in the abdomen. Those of the |
male are the /es¢es, which are paired glandular bodies, secreting
the sperm, or fertilizing fluid, in which are numerous, very small,
tadpole-like spermatozoa. Each testis has a duct, the vas deferens,
which may dilate into a vesicula seminalis, after which the two
vasa deferentia unite to form the ductus ejaculatorius, which opens
into the external intromittent organ ( penis), usually situated on
the ventral side of the abdomen near its apex.
The female reproductive organs are the pair of ovaries, in
which the eggs (ova) are found. The duct of each ovary (ov?-
duct) unites with its fellow and forms the vagina. The vagina is
connected with the ovipositor,+ or has a free external opening
(vulva), usually situated on the ventral side of the abdomen near
its apex. ‘‘Connected also with the vagina are one or more
pouches (veceptacula seminis), within which the sperm is received
and stored.’’ The sperm ‘‘ retains its fertilizing properties for a
long time. Thus the queen bee or ant, pairs but once, though
*“ Cases not unfrequently occur in which from arrest of development of the embryo,
the sexual organs are imperfectly developed, so as to present the appearance of being both
male and female” (Packard). Such individuals are termed hermaphrodites
7 See Ent. News, vol. ii, p.9. Opening into the vagina is sometimes a poison sac com-
municating with the sting.
30 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. __ [February,
she may continue to lay fertile eggs for years. The fertilization
of the eggs of insects takes place at the time they are laid. There
is in one end of the shell of the egg, one or more pores known
as micropyles. Through these the spermatozoa enter the egg as
it passes the opening of the receptacula seminis. In some cases,
at least, it is not necessary that an egg should be fertilized in order
that the embryo should develop. This has been proven with the
Honey Bee. But so far as is known the unfertilized eggs of the
bee produce only males’’ (Comstock).
A non-sexual reproduction alternating with a sexual repro-
duction occurs in certain insects, as plant lice.
All insects are produced from eggs, and are therefore called
oviparous. In some cases, however, the eggs are retained within
the body of the mother until after hatching. Such insects are
termed ovoviviparous. a tg i
Cy.
Vv
ANOTHER IMMIGRATION THEORY.
BY E. P. VAN DUZEE.
Chancing to pick up a copy of the ‘‘ Canadian Entomologist’’
of November, 1887, while browsing among some old entomo-
logical papers—a favorite pastime with me—I lighted ona ‘‘ Note
on Southern Moths found in the North,’’ by A. R. Grote, A.M.
Here, after reiterating his ‘‘ theory’’ that Zvedus odora and other
of the southern species of moths that are constantly being re-
ported from northern localities are mere ‘‘ wind visitors or immi-
grants; he says: ‘‘ This is my theory of immigration from the
South; no other writer agrees to it or advocates it. Right or
wrong, it is my own.’’ Whether this theory has been proved or
disproved by more recent writers I know not, but the capture of
an odora in this city, under somewhat peculiar circumstances, it
seems to me might shed a little light on the subject.
Early in the past season one of our young collectors, Mr. bs
C. Will, took an example of this insect in a wholesale fruit house
in this city among a large pile of bananas recently received from
the South. The thought naturally presents itself: may not this
and others of these stray visitants have been introduced through
the agency of commercial transportation, either as a pup or
imagos? Many subtropical creatures (spiders, scorpions, centi-
pedes, etc.) have been found here in banana cargoes, and why
—————————————
.
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 31
not moths? The importation of bananas here has increased
enormously of late years, and a corresponding increase is noticeable
in the number of odora taken. Further confirmatory evidence
might be found in the food habits of the odora larve if these were
better known.
A somewhat parallel case is the occurrence of the large southern
grasshopper, Dictyophorus reticulatus Thunb., near Rochester,
N. Y., from whence I have received, through the kindness of
Mr. A. E. Romer of this city, a full grown example. When
captured it was in company with several others of its kind near
one of the large nurseries for which that city is famous. In this
case it seems reasonable to presume a cluster of eggs had been
introduced with southern nursery stock, probably imbedded in
the earth attached to the roots, and the prolonged warm weather
had enabled them to perfect their growth. As it is not included
in Prof. Smith's Catalogue of the Insects of New Jersey it is very
unlikely that it could survive our severe Winters and become a
member of our fauna. .
4)
A NEW SPECIES OF NYSSONIDAZ.
BY WILLIAM J. FOX.
Bothynostethus distinctus n. sp.
.—Black, shining; clypeus, sides of face, space between antennz,
posterior orbits and sides of metathorax, with silvery pubescence; tubercles,
post-scutellum, line on anterior tibiz, spot on intermediate and, posterior
tibize yellowish white; head finely punctured, clothed with moderately long,
pale brown pubescence; face with a well marked, longitudinal central im-
pressed line, which extends from between the base of the antennz almost
to the lower ocellus, the front presents before the anterior ocellus and at
the sides of the posterior ones, a deep slit or furrow, the lateral furrows ob-
lique, anterior margin of clypeus, in the middle, with two large, separated
teeth; between the teeth and the lateral angles of the clypeus are situated
two much smaller teeth; third joint of antenne shorter than either the
fourth or fifth, the fourth is slightly longer than the fifth; joints 8-10 are
about equal; eyes diverging toward the vertex, the inner margin slightly
bent inward above the centre of the face; prothorax emarginate above in
the middle, with a yellowish white, narrow line, interrupted at the emar-
gination; beginning behind the emargination of the prothorax are two
parallel, strongly marked lines, extending to the centre of the dorsulum;
scutellum sparsely punctured, with a median impression, which is more
distinct posteriorly; the suture between the dorsulum and scutellum deep
and broad, the sides denticulate; post-scutellum divided by a médian im-
32 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
pressed line; metathorax with a broad and deep longitudinal channel, the
channel broadening at the base of the posterior surface of metathorax
into a somewhat cordate pit, base of metathorax smooth, a little beyond
a curved, deeply foveolate furrow extends from the central channel to the
anterior-lateral angles of the metathorax; between these furrows and the
sides, which are rugose, is a finely punctured space, posterior face before
apex marked with deep pits. Wings hyaline at base, the apical half fu-
liginous; nervure and stigma black; costal and subcostal nervures con-
fluent; tegulz rufo-piceous, tibiz and tarsi covered with whitish pile.
Abdomen finely punctured, clothed with pale brown pile, which is more
dense laterally, and on the fifth and sixth segments above, and on the
posterior margins of the segments beneath, the posterior margins of the
segments above smooth, rufo-piceous; pygidium large, rounded at tip,
covered with appressed pale hair, venter reddish beneath. Length .35
inch.
d'.—More slender than the 9, the anterior margin of the clypeus sub-
truncate, or slightly sinuate; the anterior tibz in front and the tarsi are
rufous; pygidium short, obtuse at tip, with appressed pubescence, other-
wise as in the 2. Length .30 inch.
Three specimens, Camden County N. J., July 22d, and Aug.
10, 1890.
In this, we add. to our fauna a genus that seems to be inter-
mediate between the Vyssonide and Larride, which is well de-
fined by the unarmed metathorax, the intermediate tibize having
but one spur at apex and the mandibles being notched on their
outer margin as in Larra.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
4a§~ See change of wording in notice of Identification of Insects.
In Mr. Liebeck’s article on the Cicindelide of a Season, published in
the December number (vol. i) of the NEws he states that he knew of but
two specimens of Cicindela tortuosa ever taken in New Jersey. I would
like to place on record the capture of a third specimen, which was taken
alive, and was found in company with C. Airticollis; the specimen was
captured at Atlantic City, N. J. It seems strange that Mr. Liebeck should
remember but two specimens of this species ever taken in New Jersey,
when it was at Mr. Liebeck’s own suggestion that the specimen in ques-
tion received a bath of benzine to bring out the markings more clearly.
PHILIP LAURENT.
<r. wo
OO
‘are
1861.) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 33
Tue following description of a variety of Papilio turnus may be of
interest.to the readers of the News: The specimen, which is a <j‘, was
taken on the 6th of July, 1890, at Mt. Airy, Pa. The specimen differs
from the normal ¢ in the almost entire absence of the row of yellow
markings in the black border of the anterlor wings, only the two yellow
markings in the extreme apical portion of the wings being present, while
the row of yellow markings in the border of the posterior wings is nar-
rowed down to a mere dash, the yellow of which is thickly interspread
with many gray scales. Of the many descriptions and figures of the va-
rieties of P. furnus that have been published from time to time, none
describe the above variation.—PuHILip LAURENT.
RETINIA CoMSTOCKIANA Fernald, occurs abundantly in yellow pines at
Sugar Grove, near Lancaster, Ohio. Serious damage results in conse-
quence, as the infested twigs and branches invariably die. At present,
October, the larve are lining their mines preparatory to hibernation. The
habits of the insect here agree well with those given by Prof. Comstock
(Report Dept. of Agriculture, 1879), whose observations were made at
Ithaca, N. Y. I have found that weevil follows the moth’s larva as a borer
in the dead twigs.—Prof. D. S. KELiicorr.
PLATYCERURA FURCILLA Packard. At the above-mentioned station,
late in September, I took several larvz, apparently of P. furcilla. They
were all found concealed among the yellow pine needles; in confinement
they were rarely seen feeditig. Dr. Lintner has described, with his usual
accuracy, the larva and its habits in ‘‘ Entomological Contributions,” No.
3, p 131.—Prof. D. S. KELLIcotr. .
- Tue Evectrric LIGHT As AN INSECTICIDE.— Any one taking the trouble
to examine the contents of the globe surrounding anarc light, in the morn-
ing, will be astonished at the immerise number of insect remains, consist-
ing of all orders. By far the greater number are small lepidopterous
forms, and, according to my experience, the Tortricidz outnumbering all
the rest. Many Neuroptera fall victims to the light, among them large
numbers of the “ aphis lions,’’ whose larvz feed on the aphides, or plant
lice; thus we lose one of the agriculturist’s best friends. Many species
quite rare in collections may be taken ip this way, though very few perfect
specimens -are to be had, owing to te intense heat of the carbons, the
slightest touch of which burns the wings. Prof. Lintner made a micro-
scopical examination of the contents of a single globe, and estimates that
the débris he inspected represented 33,000 insects, and he believes the
average number destroyed in a night by a single lamp at nearly 100,000.
On one occasion I saw nearly three pints of bodies, legs and wings emptied
from a single globe by a man who replaced the carbon in the morning.
A
Humors oF CoLvectinc.—Like all other things, entomology has its
ludicrous side, as some such squibs as the following will verify: A few
years ago while out collecting with a fellow-entomologist, not far from
34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
Gloucester, N. J., we got in the neighborhood of some tumble-down
shanties; at the back gate of one that opened on a lot covered with weeds
stood a woman, with arms akimbo, intently watching our manceuvres,
when my friend captured a specimen of Limenitis ursula, at which the -
curiosity of the aforesaid female was sufficiently aroused to ask the ques-
tion, ‘‘ What do you do with them things?” ‘“‘Oh,” said he, ‘‘ we preserve
them.’ Lifting up her hands in. apparent disgust, she said, ‘‘ Sakes
alive, what'll people eat next!’? On another occasion, while collecting
along the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, I saw, in a narrow gully that
ran parallel to the track, a portion of a dead snake, which I saw move,
and, concluding there was a ‘‘ bug’’ at work, I turned it over and found a
male Necrophorus americana; while looking for the female, which I
presently found, a countryman, walking along the track, stopped and
looked down at me just as I dropped it in my bottle and said, ‘‘ What do
you do with them air things?’ but before I had time to frame an answer
he continued, ‘‘do you make medsin of ’em?’’ I said “‘yes;” he then
said, ‘‘ yaas, I’ve heern tell of that afore.”’”—C. A. B. :
Ir may be of interest to the readers of the News to know that here in
Oregon we are sympathizers and sufferers with our eastern friends from
that dread pest of hop growers the hop louse ( Phorodan humu/i), being
the same as has been doing so much damage heretofore in the Eastern
States. It has been described and written about extensively by the De-
partment of Agriculture at Washington, D. C., and a further description
would be out of place here. The hop crop of Washington for the year
1890 has been estimated at 38,000 bales, that of Oregon some 18,000 less,
making a total of 58,000 bales, which may be figured at least within a very
reasonable limit at 200 pounds to the bale and 30 cents per pound, or
$60 per bale, or $3,480,000 for the crop. The loss from the hop louse,
where I have been able to observe, was at least one-fourth of what was
gathered, or one-fifth of the entire crop, and from the best I have been
able to learn the loss was about the same in other places; those exposed
to the morning sun and sheltered from the wind by woods, etc., suffered
most, the upper river bottoms in general next, while some places were
almost free from them. By taking one-fourth of those saved, the larger
amount of which was more or lessg4jamaged, it shows the remarkable loss
of $870,000 from those little insects alone, so inconspicuous, yet in num-
bers so formidable. In some localities they came too late to do much
damage, but where they came early they carried destruction with them.
From the above figures we conclude it would be well for hop growers to
avail themselves of the benefits to be derived from the painstaking re-
searches of our government and let it guide them to the avoidance, if
possible, of a similar visitation next year.—AURELIUS TODD.
A Forest PLAGUE IN BAvARIA.—The current Aew Bulletin contains
several documents describing a terrible pest which has attacked the Ba-
varian pine forests. It is known as the WVonnen, and is caused by the
caterpillar of the moth Ziparts monacha, which has regularly attacked
=
—————————
ee,
1890.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. - 35
forests on the Continent for the last 200 years or more. The pest appears
at long intervals, but each appearance has been calamitous. In Bavaria
alone the loss in State forest revenue next year is estimated at £40,000.
According to the report of Mr. Victor Drummond, the Minister at Munich,
the Winter frosts alone can now rid the forests of the caterpillars, and
then it is feared that the bark beetle will follow and attack the diseased
wood. Cuckoos, swallows and other birds, as well as wasps and other
insects, have helped to get rid of the ‘“‘nuns;’”’ torches and bonfires have
also been used with Success; and the electri light, with a specially con-
structed exhauster, has been used with some success. Munich has been
invaded by the ‘‘nuns’” in immense numbers, and in some places the
people were obliged to retreat before them. The Bavarian Forest Ad-
ministration fears that no measures of destruction are of any avail. ‘‘ We
stand powerless before the immensity of the pest.”” It attacks by prefer-
ence the pine and fir, but, failing these, it does not despise the beech, oak,
and other forest trees; but it never attacks corn or wheat, and will never
touch the horse chestnut. The ortly efficient general measure seems to
be cutting down the whole forest infected, which makes the remedy worse
than the disease. The electric light already referred to works by attract-
__ ing the insects in swarms to the mouth of a large funnel, through which a
rapid exhaust current of air is forced, sucking the insects into a hole under
the ground, where they are buried. From a list of the various appear-
ances of the pest, it seems that the first was in 1449. In 1853 an attack
was made on East Prussia, but a storm drove the moths into the sea,
whence they were thrown up by the waves in a huge bank, 30 German
miles long, 7 feet wide, and 6 inches thick.
A DRAGONFLY WITH AN ABNORMAL WING.—A female of Zibel/ula
pulchella Drury, which I have lately examined, has the left front wing
imperfectly developed. This wing is but three-fifths of the length of the
right front wing (which is normal). The shortening has taken place
throughout the entire length of the wing, but chiefly in the space between
the nodus and the pterostigma. The median sector separates from the
principal sector at about the usual place—half way between the triangle
and the nodus—but it is very short, as it curves and joins the subnodal
sector at about the same distance from the origin of the subnodal, as that
between the origin of the subnodal and the point of separation of the
median and principal sectors. The subnodal sector has its origin and
position much as normal, but under the pterostigma it bifurcates. The
short sector is bifurcated near its extremity, but is otherwise normal.
The nodal sector is absent, unless it be represented by a short curved vein
in the costal space between the nodus and the pterostigma, extending
from the nodus to the median nervule. The discoidal areolets are entirely
irregular. The two sectors of the triangle are broken and very irregular.
The pterostigma is a little broader than normal, the apical spot is not as
large; the nodal spot is represented by a streak with the same oblique
trend as the normal spot.
36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [F ebruary,
The measurements of this wing as compared with the right front wing -
are as follows: in all cases the first figure is that of the (normal) right —
wing. Length 39.5 mm., 24 mm.; greatest breadth 8.5 mm., 8 mm.
Length of pterostigma 5 mm., 5mm. Distance from base to nodus 20
mm., 14mm. Distance from nodus to inner side of pterostigma 12 mm.,
3mm. Antecubitals 17, 9. Postcubitals 12, 2 (the second very short,
running from the short curved vein = nodal sector?, see ave, to the costa).
Discoidal triangle long and narrow, with 3 cross-veins; shorter and broader,
with 1 cross-vein. Internal triangle 6 cells, 2 cells. -Hypertrigonals 2, o.
Basal streak extends to level of 8th antecubital, about 11 mm.; to level
of half way between 4th and 5th antecubitals, about 8 mm.
The relative positions of the unmentioned veins are as nearly normal
as the shortness of the wing will allow. Both hind wings and the rest of
the body are normal.
This female (an adult) was taken in the upper part of the city of Phila-
delphia, in 1890, by Mr. Charles Yung, who presented it to Mr. Charles
W. Johnson of the Wagner Institute. To the kindness of Mr. Johnson I
am indebted for the opportunity of examining and describing it.
PHILIP P, CALVERT.
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Twelve names, if possible, will appéar in each issue of News,
according to number. Address packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL News, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa. —— ~
GEORGE MILLER.—2, Cacecia fervidana; 5, Therina seminudaria; 7;
Thelcteria pupula; 9, Mesographe stramentalis; 12, Pamphila campestris.
F. H. Hittman.—1, Polyphylla decemlineata; 2, Aphodius granarius;
3, Cotalpa granicollis; 4, Cremastochilus pilosicollis; 5, Silpha ramosa;
6, Silpha lapponica; 7, Lermestes marmoratus; 8, Hippodamia ameri-
cana; 9, Hippodamia Lecontei; 10, Hippodamia spuria; 11, Corea
transversoguttata; 12, Hippodamia convergens. J
rm
G. D. Braprorp —1, Galeruca decora?; 2, Dibolia borealis; 3 Gas-
troidea cyanea; 4, Amara impuncticollis; 5, Melanotus communis; 6,
Platynus placidus; 7, Platydema ruficorne; 8, Oedionychis vians; 9,
Agonoderus pallipes; 10, Byturus unicolor, var.; 11, Telephorus caro-
linus; 12, Platydema americanum.
1891. ] _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 37
Entomological Literature.
Tue ENTOMOLOGIST, December, 1890.—Editorial notes on Rhopalocera
of West Norfolk, by A. Smith. Collecting in Wales, by J. Arkle. A
preliminary list of the insect fauna of Middlesex, by T. D. A. Cockerell.
Contributions to the chemistry of insect colors, by F. H. Perry Coste.
Lists of insects taken in the Faroe and Westmann Isles, and in Iceland,
_ by Dr. F. A. Walker. Entomological notes, captures, etc. Doings of
Societies.
THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NaturRAt History, December, 1890.
On new Longicorn Coleoptera from Madagascar, by C. J. Gahan. De-
scriptions of new genera of Pyralidze, by W. Warren. Asfidiotus bicari-
natus, a \epidopterous larva, by E. E. Green.
THE JOURNAL OF THE BomBay NaTuRAL HIstTory SOCIETY, vol. v,
No. 3.—On new and little-known butterflies from the Indian region. with
descriptions of three new genera of Hesperidz, by Lionel De Nicéville
(with two plates). On new and little-known Hymenoptera from India,
Burma and Ceylon, by Major C. T. Bingham (with two plates). Notes
on the larve and pupz of some of the butterflies of the Bombay Presi-
dency, by J. H. Davidson and E. H. Aitken (three plates). Butterflies
of the Central Provinces, by J. A. Betham, pt. 3. List of Chin-Lushai
butterflies, by Lionel De Nicéville. The protective coloring of chrysalids,
by A. W. Morris. ©
THE CANADIAN RECORD OF SCIENCE, vol. iv, No. 4.—A new Canadian
Platynus—P. hornii, by T. Hansen, fig. on p. 236.
MATHEMATISCHE UND NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHE BERICHTE AUS UN-
GARN, vii (June, 1888-October, 1889), 1890.—A. Mocsary prints (in Ger-
man) the introduction to his Monographia Chrysididarum Orbis Terrarum
Universi.
L’AUXILIAIRE (Amiens), October, 1890.—The wax of. the cochineal
insect, by E. André.
ComPTE-RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Nov. 8, 1890.
—Three unpublished Psychids from southeastern Africa,* by F. J. M. Hey-
laerts. Megalodon Blanchardi,* n. sp., by C. Brongniart. Description
of a new species of Elaterid of the genus Chalcolepidius, by E. Candeze:
C. pistorius, Honduras. Description of a new species of Elaterid of the
genus Adiaphorus (Candeze),* by G. Dumont. Note on the Hydrocan-
thares of Chota-Nagpore,* by G. Severin. Diagnoses of some new Co-
leoptera from the Congo,* by A. Duvivier; Bangalaia, n. gen. of Proso-
poceride.
a ‘ é
* Contains new species other than North American.
Q*
38 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT, 1890, heft 2.—Some new
Coccinellidz,* by J. Weise; Mitefa n. gen. Tenthredinide of Europe,
by F. W. Konow; an analytical table of genera and a catalogue of species;
Amauronematus, Holcocneme, Pachynematus, Lyg@onematus, Microne-
matus, Eriocampoides, Scolioneura, Loderus, Encarsioneura, n. gen. —
Description of new Snout Beetles from China,* and The habitat of the
genus Enda/iscus Kirsch, and a new representative thereof,* by J. Faust.
On the varieties of some species of Goliathidz, by Dr. G. Kraatz. New
species of Glycyphana,* by Dr. K. Flach. Cirrhospila and Melinospila,
two new genera of Macronotide (Cetonidz), by Dr. G. Kraatz; 1 plate.
On the genus Granida Motsch., id. On varieties of Cicindela [several
species]; id. On species of Jele,* by K. Escherich. Analytical review
of the known species of Lethrus.* by E. Reitter. List of the Wasp
Guests collected by Dr, A. Forel in South Tunis and East Algeria,* by
E. Wasmann. New Myrmecophilous Staphylinze from Brazil,* by E.
Wasmann; figs.; Lcitophila, Mesotrochus n. gen. Snout Beetles from
the Mediterranean countries,* by J. Faust. Mylabridze or Bruchidez, ad-
ditional notes,* by F. Baudi. Malthodes Liegel,* n. sp., by J. Weise.
Two new North African genera of Melolonthidz, by Dr. G. Kraatz; J/-
crophylla, Sphodroxia, n. gen. Thirteenth contribution to the Coleop-
terous Fauna of Turkestan,* by Dr. L. von Heyden, E. Reitter and J.
Weise. Contribution to the Coleopterous Fauna of Amasia and Samsoun
in northern Asia Minor, by Dr. L. von Heyden and E. Reitter. Revision
of the species of the Palzearctic Fauna of the Coleopterous genus Hopiia
Zil.,* by E. Reitter. New Coleoptera from Europe, the bordering coun-
tries and Siberia, with remarks on known species,* eleventh part, by E.
Reitter. On varieties of Pachnoda (two species) and Brachagenius, new
genus of Trichiadz,*.by Dr. G. Kraatz; figures.
VERHANDLUNGEN DES NATURHISTORISCHES VEREINS DER PREUS-
SICHEN RHEINLANDE, WESTFALENS UND DES REG. BEZIRKS OSNABRUCK,
5th series, vii, 1st half, 1890.—The Coleopterous Fauna of Soest, by C.
Verhoeff. The Gall-flies and Galls of Siegerland,* by E. H. Riibsaamen;
with two plates.
1. BIDRAG TIL KUNDSKABEN OM NORGES HEMIPTEROG ORTHOPTER-
FAUNA. 2. SUPPLEMENT TIL H. SIEBKE’S ENUMERATIO INSECTORUM
NorvEGIcorvuM, Fasc. iv (Diptera), Christiana, 1889. Both by W. M.
Schoyen. ot:
Nova Acta pDER Ks. Leop.-CaRoL. DEuTSCHEN AKADEMIE DER
NATURFORSCHER, liv, No. 4, 5. Halle, 1890.—Systema Geometrarum zonz
temperatioris septentrionalis, by C. F. von Gumppenberg, Parts 3 and 4;
Cartographa, Limonophila, Epicaste, new genera.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, No. 22, November, 1890.—
Synopsis of the species of the coleopterous genus Acm@odera Eschsch.
* Contains new species other than North American. #
—- as i
a,
2 ———E
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 39
known to me from Europe and the neighboring countries,* E, Reitter.
For preparing Hymenoptera, by Dr. H. von Jhering. Ichneumonid
studies,* by Dr. Kriechbaumer, Jschuidium, n. gen. for JLschnogaster
preoccupied. A
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZOOLOGIE, li, No. 1.—On the
Halteres of Diptera, by E. Weinland. A paper of 112 pages, illustrated
by five plates and two woodcuts.
ARCHIV FUR NATURGESCHICHTE, lvi, 1 Bd., No. 3.—The claw joint on
the Insect Foot: A contribution to the knowledge of its structure and
function, by A. Ockler; two plates.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NorD DE LA FRANCE 3e Annee, No. 3.—Notes
on the Acarocecidz,* by Dr. H. Fockeu.
It NATURALISTA SICILIANO, ix, No. 11.—Some remarks on the work
of Prof. B. Grassi and Dr. G. Rovelli. ‘‘Il sistema dei Tisanuri” [Thy-
sanura,} by Dr. J. T. Oudemans. No. 12. Lepidopterological notes (con-
tinued), by E. Ragusa; on Sicilian species.
SITZUNGSBERICHTE DER KONIGL. BOHMISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT DER
WISSENSCHAFTEN. MATHEMATISCH-NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHE CLASSF,
1890, I.—Preliminary list of the Bohemian Trichoptera, by F. Klapalek.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, No. 23.—List of Locustodez
of the families Phaneropteride, Mekonemidz and Gryllakridz, collected
by Dr. Paul Preuss at Barombi Station, German West Africa, in 1890,*
by Dr. F. Karsch; Dithela, Drepanophyllum, Catoptropteryx, Preussia,
new genera. .
ComptTe-:RENbv. L’ ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES, Dec. 8, 1890.—Note on a
new genus of jumping Acarina from the coast of the Channel, by MM.
‘Topsent and Dr. Trouessart; Nanorchestes amphibius, gen. and sp. new.
TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR ENTOMOLOGIE, xxxiii, Deel, 1 and 2, Aflevering.
[The Hague,] 1890. The Macrolepidoptera of Breda and its environs,
supplementary list No. 9, by F. J. M. Heylerts. Tabular review of the
Bembidioni taken in the Netherlands, by Dr. E. Everts. Papilio van de
Polli nov. sp.,* by P. C. T. Snellen. Comparative studies on Wasp
Guests and Termite Guests, by E. Wasmann, one plate. Euplea Gelderii
nov. spec.,* by P. C, T. Snellen. System-Schema of the Pselaphidz, by
Dr. L. W. Schaufuss; an analytical table of the family with descriptions
of new fossil genera and species from the Baltic amber; four plates illus-
trate both living and fossil species. On two native and three Javan
species of the genus Aypenodes Guen.,* by P. C. T. Snellen; one plate.
Proceedings, etc.
* Contains new species other than North American.
40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvi, No. 24, December, 1890,.—List
of the Locustodee of the families Phaneropteridze, Mekonemidze and
Gryllakridz, collected by Dr. Paul Preuss at Barombi in German West
Africa in 1890 (concluded), by Dr. F. Karsch. On Gomphidze,* ibid.; —
Neurogomphus, Podogomphus, n. gen. Additions to the Hymenoptera
described in No. 21,* by C. Verhoeff. Notes. Literature. As if in con-
firmation of certain remarks of the reviewer in the January number (pp.
17, 18), Dr. Karsch says, in a foot-note to his article on the Gomphide,
‘Since not names alone, but only clear ideas advance science, I here follow
the well-weighed works of the monographer Selys and not Kirby, whose
Synonymic Catalogue of the Neuroptera Odonata has already suffered an
unfavorable criticism from Selys..... The use of a generic name
Aeshna F. (for Gomphus Leach) alongside of Aeschna Ilig. should
hardly find observance..’
REVUE D’ENTOMOLOGIE (Caen), ix, No. 10, October, 1890.—Habits and
metamorphoses of insects (concluded), by Capt. Xambeu (Coleoptera).
To the knowledge of the Nabidz,* by O. M. Reuter; Hop/istoscelis (for
N. sericans Reut. and other species from N. America, etc.), Haloradis,
Lasiomerus, Acanthonabts, Stenonabis, new subgen. Necrology—E. T.
Atkinson, E. Bergroth. Materials for the myrmecological fauna of Sierra
Leone (West Africa),* by Ernest André; Psalidomyrmex, n. gen.
* Contains new species other than North American.
a
OBITUARY.
OweEN S. WiLson died at Cwmffrwd, Carmarthen, on August 25th
last. He was the author of a work on the Larve of British Lepidoptera,
367 pp., 40 colored plates; published in 188o.
E. T. Atkinson, Accountant General of Bengal, and President of the
Board of Trustees of the Indian Museum, died at Calcutta, September
15th. His entomological writings are important and well known, one of
the latest being a Catalogue of the Capsidze of the World.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for December was mailed December 1, 1890.
si ‘for January was mailed January 3, 1891.
En r. News. VoL.2. PL.3.
EDWIN SHEPPARD. DEL.ET LITH. Tue Century Litx. Go, PHILA.
Fig, 1, PHRAGMATOBIA ASSIMILANS WALKER,
Fig. ¢, PHRAGMATOBIA VAR.F RANG ONIA -SLOSSON.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
_ PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. II. MARCH, 18or. . No. 3.
CONTENTS:
Slosson—Phragmatobia assimilans....... 41 | Dyar—Composia fidelissima...........+ 49
Fox—Hymenoptera from East Africa... 42 | Harvey—Odonata of Maine........-....+ 50
Rowley—Observations on Paphia trog- Notes and: N@wsseck.css.cssssonphutatessdaccssate 51
ESE iccdseupbsscncnacon-npestasesses<°-~* 43 | Entomological Literature.............0.0++++: 56
P. P. C.—Elementary Entomology....... 46 | Doings of Societies.......sscscssesessesea:ceseee 60
Phragmatobia assimilans ». var. franconia, P!. III, fig. 2.
BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON.
(See Vol. II, No. 1, p. 2.)
Red. Abdomen conical, short and stout, with darker dorsal
and lateral lines; pilose. Thorax darker and still more pilose.
Primaries rather thinly clothed with scales, the ground color red,
thickly sprinkled with dark brown, but with color of under ground
showing through, so as to make the general tint a reddish choco-
late; two discal dots connected,by line, and two diffuse transverse
lines, all of leaden black. The anterior line is arcuate, the pos-
terior runs obliquely to median vein, then curves and takes a
sinuously oblique course to inner margin. Secondaries pale red
with two small discal dots, and a submarginal band somewhat
irregular and interrupted, of leaden black. Antennz simple,
whitish. Underside of primaries and secondaries an almost even
tint!of bright red; the submarginal band on secondaries and discal
dots of both sets of wings showing through faintly.
_ Described from one female, taken at light, May 24, 1890, at
Franconia, N. H.
u ’
42 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
On three species of Hymenoptera from East Africa.
BY WILLIAM J. FOX.
The three species of Hymenoptera mentioned herein represent
a portion of a small collection of insects collected by Dr. Wm.
L. Abbott, on Mt. Kilima Njaro, E. Africa, at an elevation of
4000 feet, and presented by him to the American Entomological
Society.
Sphex Abbotii n. sp.—Q. Black; head and thorax clothed with long
black pubescence, which is short and rather bristly on the dorsulum, and
intermingled with griseous on cheeks and sides of the thorax; clypeus
feebly and sparsely punctured, with a shallow depression centrally, before
the anterior margin with a strong transverse impression, the anterior mar-
gin, medially incurved, with a slight tooth or process on each side of the
incurvation of inner eye; margin not altogether parallel as they begin to
converge at a point opposite the ocelli; labrum acutely carinated on its
anterior portion, the carina projecting sharply over its ‘margin; a distinct
impression extends from lower ocellus to between the base of antennze;
the ocelli placed in a V-shaped furrow; thorax on the sides shining, finely
punctured, the dorsulum very finely rugose; scutellum with a strong me-
dial impression; metathorax above coriaceous, impunctate, with a distinct
longitudinal furrow, which is broader and deeper at apex, on the sides the
metathorax is finely punctured; stigma furrow curved, foveolate; wings
brownish black, with a strong violaceous reflection, first recurrent neryure
received by the second submarginal cell before its apex, the second being
received by the third submarginal cell between its base and middle, and
is strongly bent towards the apex of the wing, third submarginal cell much
narrower above than beneath; the anterior tarsi with a row of long spines
posteriorly, the first joint with three spines in the middle of its anterior
margin; abdomen shining, the venter with a few long black hairs. Length
30 mm.
One specimen.
Belonogaster rufipennis De Geer.
One specimen.
Xylocopa nigrita? Fab.
One specimen, which agrees tolerably well with the short diag-
nosis given by Smith (Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1874, p. 261), but
it has the anterior and posterior femora entirely black, and is 12
mm. longer. Not having specimens of migvita, 1 am in some
doubt as to the identity of this specimen. The length is 40 mm,
-
1891. | é ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ; 43°
Observations on the butterfly, Paphia troglodita.
BY PROF. R. R. ROWLEY.
I have studied this species through the last six or seven sum-
mers, in the field, on its food-plant and in my rearing jars, and
am quite well acquainted with its habits. Perhaps some of my
observations will be of interest to the readers of ENTOMOLOGICAL
NEws.
The imago is one of our hardiest butterflies, appearing early
in the Spring and lingering late in the Autumn. I have seen it
on pleasant days in late March and early April at sunny spots in
the woods darting from the trees to the dry leaves that cover the
ground, and away again at the slightest noise. At that season it
also frequents sunny south hillsides, and is always very active,
being at all times a difficult butterfly to take in the net.
The last brood of imagos appears in early October and often
flies till November, appearing in the Spring as a very ragged and
anything but handsome insect.
As its food-plant, Croton capitatum, is an annual, slow to ger-
minate, and tardy in its growth, the eggs for the first brood are
not laid till May. It hardly seems possible that these torn and
faded butterflies of March should linger till May to fulfil the
mission of nature, but they are fitted by that same nature to sur-
vive the frosts of Winter, and why should they not adapt them-
selves to their surroundings and accommodate themselves to
circumstances ?
The eggs hatch in from four to six days. They are round,
apparently smooth, and, when first laid, of a pale sky-blue,
almost transparent appearance, growing yellowish and opaque in
two or three days.
There are, perhaps, three broods of butterflies in a season, but
this is a hard question to determine, as there is a constant inter-
mingling of the broods, the same plant often supporting eggs,
freshly hatched larve, half grown and full grown caterpillars at
the same time.
Although Croton capitatum is an abundant plant here, the ?
Troglodita seems to be rather choicé of a place for her eggs and
out of a cluster of weeds will select one or two to the neglect of
the others, even depositing as many as four or five and often two
eggs on the underside of one leaf.
44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
Again, in neglected fields or pastures, you may wade through
thousands of crowded plants with rarely a sight of a larva, or
examine closely the great patches of Croton in the woods with
little reward for your trouble.
It is by the roadside, in the cultivated fields, or along the sandy
or gravelly beds of streams that the plants seem especially in-
viting to the females, and thrifty isolated weeds are often com-
pletely defoliated by the larvee in late Summer.
Where the larve are abundant an occasional pupa is found
suspended beneath a shelter made by fastening two or three
leaves together by their edges with an underlining of silk, but
search among neighboring stones and chunks fails to disclose
chrysalids, a fact that sets one to wondering if the larve ever
leaves its food-plant to suspend for pupation. I have never seen
a larva on the ground, yet they must sometimes travel from plant
to plant, as a few caterpillars soon defoliate a young Croton plant,
and such leafless weeds are often seen without even a place for
the suspension of a pupa.
In the rearing jars more than half of the larvee, just prior to
suspension, manifest no more activity than they have during their
sluggish larva-hood, but commence at once to construct a shelter,
while a much smaller number spin ladders of silk up the glass
sides and suspend from the underside of the cover at the top.
The young larva, as soon as it begins to eat, commences the
construction of a perch much as the larva of Limenitis is known
to make, by using waste bits of leaf and excrement, fastened and
stiffened with silk. This perch is usually at the apex of the leaf,
but once I found two perches on the same leaf, and one was
lateral. The little, caterpillar rests on this perch when not feed-
ing, and it serves, undoubtedly, for protection to the delicate
creature against its keen-eyed enemies whatever they may be.
At the second molt the larva has developed. a new building in-
stinct. After selecting a suitable leaf it draws the edges together,
securing them with silk, and takes refuge in this retreat. In
feeding, the larva usually crawls out upon the stem to an adjoin-
ing leaf, but quite often, in its sluggishness, it attacks the base
of its shelter, literally devouring its own home.
A young caterpillar seems to have no idea of the fitness of —
things, and constructs an abode large enough for a full grown
‘‘worm,’’ secreting itself in the smaller end of its house, which,
a ee
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 45
upon a hasty examination, might be mistaken for an abandoned
retreat of a mature larva.
The larva is a dirty white or soiled green color of a granular
appearance, with a large head, the body tapering slightly back-
ward. Before suspension it has become a watery green, and after
attaching itself to the silk button, it rests in a circular or loop-
like position, the head bent forward till it quite reaches the button.
The pupa is usually of a beautiful green color, but sometimes
is speckled with brown, and occasionally of a brown tint alto-
gether, while rarely it is almost black. The abbreviated abdo-
men, the green color and appearance of the pupa in suspension
reminds the observer of the pupa of Archippus, but the resem-
blance is not striking.
The pupal period is seven or eight days. For twelve hours
before giving the imago the color and markings of the wings in
miniature, beneath the pupal sheath, may be distinctly seen, and
it is as easy to distinguish the females from the males by the wing
band as it is among the imagos.
_ The fresh imagos will hang in the cage for some time unless
crowded, without fluttering, and often when taken between the
thumb and finger after having been out four or five hours they
will fain death, sometimes dropping to the bottom of the cage
when an attempt is being made to remove them. | This is oftener
the case, however, when they are fresh from the pupa and with
no strength of wing. I have noticed the same thing in Vanessa _
antiopa, and perhaps this ‘‘’ possum policy’’ is common to many
diurnals.
The male imagos differ little in color or markings, being a
uniform reddish brown with a darker border to the wings. An
occasional ¢, however, displays a faint cross band on the forward
wings, or, more properly, the broken boundary lines of a band-
like field, and the same more rarely on the hind wings.
The females differ much in color and the appearance of the
band. The underwings of the ? vary from a reddish brown to
a yellowish brown. :
The females of the earlier broods have nearly a uniform color
over the entire wings, the band being merely outlined by bound-
ing lines, or if the band differ in color from the rest of the wing
it is not a noticeable difference. Moreover, the ground color of
these earlier females is a brownish red, but paler than in the males.
46 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
The females of the later broods are usually lighter in color,
and in most cases with more pronounced bands on the wings.
The band is sometimes almost yellow in contrast with a brown-
ish red wing, making a very attractive cabinet specimen.
Often the hind wings are a shade lighter in color than the for-
ward ones, and occasionally there is a row of yellow points or
small spots beyond the band on this wing, and very rarely so on
the front wing. The more distinct band distinguishes the later
from the earlier female.
This butterfly may be seen by the roadside, near its food-plant,
in sunny places, or about streams of water. The 9 is rately met
with away from Croton, while the $ wanders broadly. At some
damp place he may be found sipping, but it takes a clever hand
to capture him. At the slightest jar he darts into the neighbor-
ing tree tops with the rapidity of an arrow, and it takes a quick
eye even to follow him. He may come back, but his coming is
as sudden as his going, and before you have collected yourself _
for a forward movement he is off again, and he rarely settles in ~
the same place twice. With his wings folded, he defies detection
among the brown leaves or stones, and you must flush him before
you take him, and once flushed nothing but skillful manceuvreing
can outwit him.
The larva of Paphia troglodita feeds on both Croton capitatum
and C. monanthogynum, both of which grow here, often together.
The former, however, seems to be the preferred food-plant. In
one plant last August I counted twenty-five larve of all sizes,
from those just hatched to those full grown. On another plant
sixteen. .
f).
VU
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Ninth Paper.—CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS.
,
The number of kinds of insects is very great, so that no one
can hope to study minutely the structure, habits and transforma-
tions of but very few of them. But enough can easily be learned
about the various kinds in a general way, to know that the whole
great group of insects can be successively subdivided into smaller
and smaller groups.
What we may call the unit in this subdivision or classification,
a a ae
ie ee al
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47
is the sfecies.* By a species of plants, animals, or insects, we
mean a group of individual plants, animals, or insects (1) alike
in appearance and (2) capable of producing fertile offspring
among themselves.t The first part (1) of this definition is mor-
phological, that is, it has to do with form, structure, etc.; the
second part (2) is physiological, or has to do with functions or
actions.
The morphological part of the definition, ‘‘alike in appear-
ance,’’ admits of variations. It is well known that of very many
animals and plants there are varieties, differing more or less in
appearance, and that individuals of two different varieties, inter-
breeding, will produce fertile offspring. For this reason we must
consider these two varieties to belong to one and the same spe-
cies. On the other hand, two animals or plants, differing more
or less in appearance, which will not produce fertile offspring
between each other, must be considered to belong to different
species.
Practically, in the study of insects, we can very rarely apply
the second or physiological part of our definition. We must,
therefore, rely to a very great extent on the morphological part.
If we meet with two insects differing in structure, form, color,
etc., or any or all of these characteristics, we must consider them
as of different species, either until we learn of other insects in-
termediate between these two, and which ‘‘ quite bridge over the
difference previously supposed to exist’’ between them, or until
we learn that these two insects, interbreeding, will produce fertile
offspring. But in applying these principles in our study, we
must be cautious about two things: in affirming the existence of
“‘new,’’ that is, undescribed species, based on the existence of
single, more or less doubtful specimens; and in regarding
as of different species, the two dissimilar sexes of one and the
same species.
But after having attempted thus much in explanation of what
a species is, it cannot be too strongly insisted that 20 hard and
Jast lines exist in nature to separate species. Indeed, the desig-
nation of certain groups as ‘‘species,’’ ‘‘genera,’’ ‘‘ orders,’’
* Experience has shown that it is well to point out that the singular and the plural o
this word are spelied alike—sfecies.
7 In the preparation of this paper the writer is partly indebted to Prof. St. George
Mivart’s work on ‘‘ The Cat,” chap, xii. 1881,
48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
etc., is rather for purposes of convenience than as statements of
absolute differences.
Groups of species form genera. A genus cannot be easily de-
fined, even in the imperfect way in which we have defined a spe-
cies. All the species belonging to the same genus possess certain
structural characters in common.
Groups of genera form families; groups of families form o7-
ders; groups ef orders form classes. Two classes differ from
each other by characters more widely different than those which
divide two orders, and so on down the scale. | Intermediate
groups, such as sazdclasses, between classes and orders; suborders,
between orders and families; subfamilies, between families and
genera ; and subgenera, between genera and species, are also
employed in classification.’ A ¢ride is a division sometimes placed
between a family and a subfamily; sometimes between a family
and an order.
The scientific nomenclature employed for insects (as for all
animals and plants) is to give to each species two names of either
Greek or Latin form. Thus, the name of the Honey Bee is 4pzs
mellifica. The first name is generic, the second specific. A fa-
miliar comparison is that which likens the generic name to a per-
son’s surname, the specific name to his individual, or Christian
name. This binomial nomenclature is dated from the time of
Carl von Linné (Linnaeus, b. 1707, d. 1778), the great Swedish
systematist. Linné’s genera, in very many cases, correspond to
our present families, or even suborders. The constant discovery
of species unknown to Linné, rendered his genera large and un-
wieldy, and revealed characters for the subdivision of his genera
into smaller genera. The abbreviated name of the author who
first proposed the name of the insect in question, usually follows
the specific name. Although usage in this respect varies, it is
best that the author’s name should be that of him who first gave
the specific name, regardless of the genus in which he placed it.
It has frequently happened that the same species of insect has
received several specific names from different authors, due to such
causes as the insufficiency of previous descriptions, describing
two dissimilar sexes of the same species as different species, ig-
norance of the existence of previous descriptions, insufficiency
of the characters given as separating two species at one time
presumed to be distinct, ete. In such cases ¢he name of the spe-
2 +o
:
. ee
;
a a
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 49
cies is to be the one first given to it, or in some fewer cases, that
one which has been most commonly used. The other names are
synonyms. To determine the correct name of a species and its
synonymy is very frequently a most difficult task, and in some
cases can only be decided by a comparison of the types of the
descriptions concerned.
Family names are usually formed from the name of the prin-
cipal genus with the termination zdz@ added. To a less extent
subfamily names end in zzz, also formed from generic names.
The “ye of a genus is that species which best represents the
characters of that genus; the ¢ypica/ genus or family, is the most
representative genus or family of the larger group to .which it
belongs. The zyfe or types of a species are the individual speci-
mens from which the species was described. | ey gan OP
va
COMPOSIA FIDELISSIMA versus C. OLYMPIA.
BY HARRISON G. DYAR.
On opening the December number of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws
I was pleased to see Prof. French’s excellent figure of Composia
olympia Butl., but I wish to state that it does not differ in any
particular from my examples of C. fidelissima H. S., and that
there is only one species of Composia now known from Florida..
The question resolves itself into one of the correct determina-
tion of the species, and I append Herrich-Schaeffer’s description:
that of Mr. Butler I have not been able to see. Further than
this I have seen in the American Museum of Natural History, by
the kindness of Mr. Beutenmiiller, two specimens of this species,
which, I am informed, are the ones that were before Mr. Grote
at the time of his writing on the Zygznide of Cuba,* where they
are referred to as fidelissima. It is possible that Mr. Butler has
redescribed this species under the name o/ympia, but this point
I am not now in a position to decide.
Composia fidelissima Hert-Sch.
1866—Her.-Sch., Cor. Bl. Reg. No. 9, p. 132.
1867—Grote, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vi, 303.
. . . . Nigra, cyaneonitida, punctis acpitis, thoracis et baseos alarum
_ anter. niveis; maculis niveis ante limbum alarum omnium, preterea serie-
bus duabus costalibus anteriorum, maculisque tribus purpureis versus
basin costz.”’
: * Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. °
50 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
Unless there are two closely-allied species of Composia in Cuba
the above description applies well to the present form, except
that the underside is not described.
NOTE ON THE HABIT OF COMPOSIA FIDELISSIMA H.-S.—Ex-
amples of this species were taken by me on the east shore of
Lake Worth, Florida, as already noted in these pages, and they
exhibited a means of defence which I have not observed in any
other moth. When captured, so that’ it was unable to fly, the
insect, by expanding and contracting its abdomen, forced a col-
umn of yellowish froth out of the centre of its thorax above.
The froth was of about the consistency of soap-suds, and the
little bubbles, of which it was composed, ‘‘ went out’’ after a time
leaving a yellow stain. All that were taken, including individuals -
of both sexes, behaved in this manner, with the exception of two,
in one of which the froth exuded from a point in the underside
of the abdomen, and in the other from the end of a broken vein
of one hind wing. It would appear as if this froth was formed
from the blood of the insect, which was forced out by the pres-
sure of contracting the abdomen from the point of least resist-
ance, usually the centre of the thorax, where there is probably a
small aperture. HARRISON G, DyAr.
0).
Vv
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ODONATA OF MAINE.
Specimens in the Maine State College Collection, or taken near
Orono, Penobscot County, Me., in 1890.
BY F. L.. HARVEY.
Tribe IL—AGRIONINA.
Subfamily 1.—CALOPTERYGINA.
1. Calopteryx maculata Beauvois.—Common over running
water. Chemo Stream, Bradley, July. Several pairs taken
mating. The female usually, when followed by the male, comes
to rest on the alder bushes. The male flies over her and seizes
her by the neck; she then turns her abdomen under to the second ©
segment of the SHE
2. Calopteryx equabilis Say.—Scarce; only one pair taken
July. Flying over water with the above.
°
—-_t-—s~
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ih, a
' Subfamily 2.—AGRIONINA.
3. Argia violacea Hagen.—Chemo Stream, July 15th; Otter
Creek, August 30th; over bogs and ponds. Common.
4. Argia putrida Hagen.—August 8th; over dry road. Rather
common.
5. Argia apicalis Say.— August 8th; over dry road with above.
A single 9.
6. Ischnura verticalis Say.—Chemo bog, July; Frog Pond,
Orono, September 3d; several pairs mating. This species had
the habit of lighting on the surface of conferve, and «tiga so
close to the water they were hard to take with a net.
orange form.* Not rare over Chemo bog. July.
(To be continued.)
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest’its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
835- See change of wording in notice of Identification of Insects.
FROM A FORMER SUBSCRIBER.—I have no intention of taking the News
another year. It is too advanced for me; it shoots over my head and
seldom hits me.
QvuerRyY.—Has any entomologist noticed the effect of thunder storms
upon larva? It has been a source of considerable thought to me that this
may be one of the causes of the scarcity of certain common species of
our fauna. I base the idea on the following experience: sometime ago I
received a quill of Saturnia perneyi eggs, which in due time produced
larva, but very early, and I had quite a task to discover the food-plant.
I had received information with the eggs ‘‘that they fed on oak.”’ I tried
all the oaks I could think of, and nearly lost all my larva; at last I tried
* Following my identifications of Miss Wadsworth’s Odonata, Prof. Harvey had re-
ferred the orange females to Ramburii Selys. I am now satisfied that the specimens quoted
in Miss Wadsworth’s list as ‘‘ /. Raméurii female orange var.”’ (ENT. NEWS, I, p. 36, No. 4)
are really the orange females of vertica/is. With Prof. Harvey’s permission I have made
a similar change in his MS. The orange females of verticalis have a narrow humeral
- black stripe on each side of the dorsum of the thorax, and the 1st, 2d and basal part of
the 3d abdominal segment are orange on the dorsum. The orange females of Raméburii
have no humeral thoracic stripe, and the orange at the base of the abdominal dorsum is
confined to the first and the base of the second segment.—PuILiP P. CALVERT.
52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. -[March,
Pin Oak, which they fed on readily, and I succeeded in getting several
imagos. From a pair of these I started the second brood, now knowing
the food-plant I lost none by starvation. During the latter part of July I
had 133 larva between the second and third moults; my breeding-box was -
covered with wire, such as is used for window-screens, etc., and was
placed near an open window, on the second floor, facing West. During
the afternoon a terrific thunder storm raged, the lightning vivid and close.
During the storm I went to close the window when I found a number of ~
the larva hanging limp and dead over the boughs of the food. After the
storm I took from the cage 71 dead larva. The rest appeared all right,
but somewhat sluggish for a day or so; during the early part of August,
and between the third and fourth moult, we had a similar storm, with the
same effect on the larva, for, on the next day, I found all dead but 13,
which I succeeded in raising to imagines. Two years ago I was raising a
brood of Zelea polyphemus, which you notice is closely allied to the for-
mer, when the same phenomena took place, and I lost nearly all the
brood. Was it the electricity, the heavy thunder claps, or natural causes?
Has any entomologist had similar experience with other species?
JAMEs S. JOHNSON.
THE larve of the Papilio anchisiades live on the lime or orange trees, —
which they do a good deal of harm to. When young they are of a dirty
yellowish red color, glossy and quasi-transparent; when full grown they
are about two inches long, of a dark brown color with irregular markings
of cream color. I captured a group of ten on the 18th of July, 1889, on
the leaves of a lime tree, the branch having over 100 leaves. I cut this
branch from the trunk of the tree, placed it in my breeding cages at six
P.M.; revisited it on the next day and found only the bare stalks of the
branch, all of the leaves having been consumed. The larve feed at night,
and in the day are seen grouped together in various numbers one over ,
the other; when disturbed, like all caterpillars of the genus Papilio, they ~
emit two horns from the ring immediately preceding the head, which is
the thoracic portion of the future adult, giving off at the same time a most
infectious smell. I always thought that this smell emanated from the
protrusion of the horns, but I noticed that at that moment of throwing
them off, they discharged a greenish liquid from their mouths which I as-
certained to be the substance that smelled. I fed them up to the 16th of
August, when they were transformed into chrysalids. In this stage they
are very much, both in color and shape, like a piece of decayed wood. —
The caterpillar before completing its transformation spends about 24 hours
motionless on the spot where it is to effect the change, fixes itself tightly
with a gummy substance by the anus; then provides two strings which
are passed higher up, and, as soon as ready, lets go the place where it ~
held with its legs, and the wonderful motionless, though living insect, lays
there at an angle of 45 for 17 days, for on the 2d of September I contem-
plated the marvellous metamorphosis. There was the Papilio anchisiades
weak and almost helpless for about three hours, but soon to be seen flit-
ting about the lime tree.—H. CaRAccIoLo, Trinidad.
=.
ae ee |
a
1891. ] _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. as
VANESSA URTIOA.—From Oakland, Cal., I received, two specimens of
a year ago. They were taken in suburbs of Oakland by the children of a
friend of mine in the Summer or Autumn of 1889. They arrived with a
_ lot of diurnals containing a number of V. californica in the Spring of
1890, and, inasmuch as the most of those Vanessa were oily, I did not
relax specimens until I had time to de-oil them, and when I discovered
V. urtioe among the lot, was puzzled to know what they were. I had no
European specimens in my collection. It is fully forty years ago since I
took any in my native land, and had forgotten what little I then knew of
this species. I possess Emmons’ ‘“‘ Agricult. Nat. History of New York,”’’ .
in which an illustration is given, which agrees perfectly with my /. urtioe.
In referring to Dr. H. Strecker’s ‘‘Synonymical, Catalogue of Macro-
lepidoptera”’ 1878, I find under genus Vanessa, page 133, the following
foot-note: ‘‘Emmons, in ‘Agr. Nat. Hist.’ N. Y., v, p. 209, t. 46 (1854),
describes and figures . urtiog, stating that it occurred in New York,—
of course erroneously, as no authenticated instance of its capture in this
country is known.” Italics are mine.
My entomological literature is very limited, and I have no knowledge
whether its capture in this country is reported or not. I took a specimen
to the assistant of Mr. B. Neumoegen, Mr. J. Doll, and the latter con-
firmed that it was V. urtioe, but doubted its occurrence in this country
until I assured him that it was taken in California.
My friend or his children are not entomologists, and I had to instruct
them by letter where and how to capture Lepidoptera, and many of those
first received were anything but perfect specimens. In coloring, V. urtioe
are good, but devoid of antennz. One of those children had a fondness.
for studying insects, and I have succeeded in keeping him, a eleven-year
old boy, busy taking many nice_specimens for me, inasmuch as he now
. understands better how to handle Lepidoptera.
RICHARD E. Kunze, M.D.
Mr. A. SIDNEY OLLIFF, late assistant in the museum, Sidney, Australia,
has been appointed to the newly-instituted office of Government Ento-
_mologist in the Department of Agriculture, New South Wales. His duties.
will be chiefly the study of insects affecting fruits and crops, whether in-
jurious or beneficial, and publishing reports on the results of the informa-
tion of farmers and horticulturists. According to the latest news as to
the new insect pest, Mr. Olliff will not lack employment.
EGG PARASITES.—From a group of eggs similar to those sent to the
Academy, there escaped a number of flies kindly identified by Mr. L. O.
Howard as a new species of Hadronotus, a proctotrupid of the subfamily
Scelioninz. The present group, apparently alike, though lighter in color,
being found upon a green stem, was placed in a bottle with a little water
to maintain the vegetable growth. The eggs are of a light bronze color,
oval, with a network of surface markings and a crown of spines near the
upper end. From them hatched an equal number of hemipterous larvze
that at first gathered upon the underside of a leaf. Desiring to learn what
54. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, —
the mature insect was to which the Hadronotus had acted as an egg para-
site, an attempt was made to raise these larve, but they evidently were
not vegetable feeders, for after shedding their first skins they died one
after another, never having attached themselves to the stem. Subse-
quently we were informed by Mr. Howard that the eggs from which the
Hladronotus issued are those of the common Podisus spinosus, and that
he finds that Prof. Riley has in the National Museum collection the same
parasite reared from the eggs of the same species by Mr. Schwarz at
Selma, Ala., in September, 1880.—Epwarp Ports.
Hasits OF BEEs.—On the north side of a depressed roadway at Wawa,
Pa., for some hundreds of feet, the perpendicular bank of rotten rock
through a depth of about two feet below the sod, was found to be covered
with small perforations resembling shot marks. These were occupied by
a small, solitary bee, identified as Halictus confusus Smith, that during
the months of July and August, and most abundantly during the latter
month, hovered along the bank, sometimes laden with pollen dust, each
seeking its own proper opening. Frequently, on alighting, one would be
met at the door of a hole by a janitor who stood on the watch, its cervical
head just visible at the entrance. The bee never tried to force its way in,
but at once sought another hole. To ascertain the depth of these exca-
vations, we probed a large number with slender grass stems, and in many
cases could only penetrate four or five inches. In others, however, a foot
was reached easily, and in one instance eighteen inches. The bees were
most active in the hot sunlight.—Epwarp Ports.
A DISPLACEMENT.—Fhyllotretra vittata, always a common species in
the vicinity of Philadelphia, especially below the city, on both sides of the
Delaware River, seemed to. be completely displaced last season by P.
sinuata. To the best of the writer’s knowledge P. sinuata was previously
unknown to this section, but appeared in great numbers during June and
July. But a few isolated specimens of P. viftata were noted during the
season, it being almost as unusual to find as P. dipustudata.—C. LIEBECK.
Limnichus punctatus and Heterocerus pusillus were taken somewhat
abundantly in an abandoned iron-ore pit in Montgomery County, Penn-
sylvania, during June. Small pools of water at the bottom furnished the
means to drench the sloping sides of the pit and washing out quite a num-
ber of each species. HY. pusillus has not heretofore been recorded from
points east of Allegheny, Pa. All the specimens of Z. punctatus, upwards
of forty in number, were taken from a space not more than three feet
square. Although the pit was a large one, none were taken outside of
this limited space. H. pusillus, however, was scattered over the entire
place.—Cuas. LIEBECK.
THE inclosed slip is from one of our papers. To some inquirers about
this bug I'stated I thought it a real ightning bug, but some are disposed
to think it a Humbug, but I objected, that such a bug was unknown in
Philadelphia.—JoHN HAMILTON.
— “1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 55
‘INOCULATED wiTH ELEctTRIcIty.—Philadelphia, Dec. 30. Physicians
and medical students have been studying with great interest a case with-
out a parallel, so far as known. Little Mamie Lurker, walking on Girard
Avenue a few days ago with her aunt, suddenly stopped, and, putting up
her hands to her face, screamed, ‘‘I am shot.’’ The aunt seized the
child’s hands, and immediately staggered back as if she had received an
electric shock. A crowd speedily gathered, and a man crushed with his
foot a peculiar bright-hued bug, bottle-shaped and hard-shelled, which,
falling from a wire overhead, had dropped on the girl’s face and stung her.
_ A bright crimson spot on Mamie’s cheek showed where the bug had
made the wound, and evidently inoculated her with the electricity with
which it was charged by being in contact with the wire. Little would
have been thought of the accident had it not been for the peculiar symp-
toms of the girl, who was nervous and uneasy, and whose grasp sent an
indefinable tingling sensation to the hands of everybody who touched her.
Dr. De Beust diagnosed the case as bullia, or vascular poisoning, and
administered the remedies usual in cases of that kind. To his astonish-
ment, however, the bright-hued sore on the cheek was followed by other
bright-hued eruptions on every part of the body, each one emitting the
same peculiar tingling sensation when touched. In his opinion the bug
was of a Brazilian species brought to this country in the year of the cen-
tennial. The insect in itself is not known to be poisonous, and is distin-
guished for its peculiar bottle-shaped appearance.
The patient is now considered out of danger, after unremitting attention
on the part of the physician, but still suffers from the inoculated electric
bite.
Our collector (NEws) spent a week under the electric lights before he
succeeded in getting a specimen. —This was sent to the Determiner who
has charge of the Department of Identification of Insects; he recognized
the species as Electricia tomfooleryensis De Bust.
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: rst, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending ; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Twelve names, if possible, will appear in each issue of NEws,
according to number. Address packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
A. G. WEEKs.—1, /unonia orithya; 2, Byblia ilithyia,; 3, Ergolis ari-
adne; 4, Ixias marianne 2; 5, Junonia lemonias; 7, Diadema misippus
2; 8, Euplea core; 9, Pyrrhogyra tipha; 11, Eunica monima; 12, Da-
nats gilippus, var. cleophile; 13, Danais archippus; 14, Papilio aristolo-
chie; 15, Callidryas pomona; 16, Callidryas pomona; 17, Callidryas
pomona,; 18, Callidryas pomona,; 19, Idmais sp. 3; 20, Diadema misip-
pus J; 21, Callidryas pyranthe; 22, Idmatis sp. 2; 23, Junonia enone,
var. hierta,; 24, Pieris mesentina; 26, Diadema misippus 9.
~
56 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Mads,
RaLtpH Hop.inc.—1, Bradycellus rupestris; 2, Cratacanthus dubius;
3, Platynus nutans, 4, Prerogilias mutus, 5, Harpalus viridieeneus; 6,
Melanophila longipes; 7, lost; 8, Melanotus communis; 9, Elaphidion
villosum,; 10, Elaphidion parallelum; 11, Tenebrionellus molitor; 12,
Tenebrionellus obscurus. 5
G. D. B. Lot 2.—:, Serica sericea; 2, Doryphora clivicollis; 3, Staphy-
linus cinnamopterus,; 4, Cardiophorus convexus; 5, Odontota nervosa;
6, Paria 6-notata; 7, Corymbites tarsalis; 8, Podabrus modestus; 9, Pter-
’ ostichus lucublandus; 10, Limonius griseus; 11, Lucidota _atra; 12, Me-
lanotus fissilis.
F. H. H1LLMan.—1, Dendroctonus terebrans; 2, Nemognatha apicalis;
3, Cyclocephala longula; 4, Megilla vittigera; 5, Aphodius nevadensis;
6, Lina scripta var.; 7, Saprinus lugens,; 8, Coniontis obesa; 9, Nitidula
ziczac; 10, Notoxus calcaratus; 11, Tomicus pini; 12, er sc mira-
bilis.
W. M. HiILv.—1, Clinidium sculptile; 2, Megalodacne heros; 3, Brontes
dubius; 4, Onthophagus hecate; 5, Stenolophus conjunctus; 6, Boletothe-
rus bifurcus; 7, Coptocycla guttata; 8, Anthonomus sp.; 9, Atenius cog-
natis. /
W. C. Woov.—1, Apristus subsulcatus; 2, Amara musculus; 3, Amara
chalcea; 4, Atranus pubescens; 5, Bembidium contractum; 6, Tachys
xanthopus?; 7, Amara sp.; 8, Platynus puncti iformis; 10, Platydema
americanum; 11, Pterostichus hicublandus; 12, Phaleria testacea.
D. B. Younc.—1, Tetraopes tetraophthalmus, 2, Typocerus velutinus;
3, Elaphrus ruscarius; 4, Phellopsis obcordata; 5, Hister interruptus; 6,
Chrysomela philadelphica; 7, Chrysomela similis; 8, Geotrupes Balyi;
9, Dicerca divaricata.
F.C. Harvey.—1, Ptinus brunneus.
Entomological Literature.
NOTES ON THE HABITS AND EARLIER STAGES OF Cryplophasia unipunc-
tata, by Henry Edwards (from the Proceedings Linnean Society of New
South Wales, vol. v).
THE ENTOMOLOGIST, January, 1891.—The sexes of Lepidoptera, by W.
F. de Vismes Kane. Notes on the Lepidoptera of Chiltern Hills, by A.
J. Spiller. A Preliminary List of the Insect Fauna of Middlesex, by T.
D. A. Cockeérell. Contributions to the Chemistry of Insect Colors, by F.
H. Perry Coste.—For February, 1891.—Remarks on Meana strigilis, WM.
fasciuncula, and a probable new species of the genus, by Richard South.
The Habits and Life-history of the New Zealand glow-worm, by G. V.
Hudson. A Preliminary List of the Insects of the Insect Fauna of Mid-
dlesex, by T. D. A. Cockerell. Notes on British Lepidoptera; extracted
from Continental journals, by W. Warren. Contributions to the Chem-
istry of Insect Colors, by F. H. Perry Coste. Coleoptera from Kulu, in
p
3
- 1891.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57
N. W. India, by W. H. Bates. New species of Rhopalocera from N. W.
China, by J. H. Leech. Descriptions of some new Phytophagous Cole-
optera from India, by Martin Jacoby.
EnTomoLocist’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE, January, 1891.—On certain
British Species of Conchylis, by Lord Walsingham. Can Deilephila galii
be found in the larval state every year in England? by W. H. Tugwell.
Gelechia sparsiciliellan. sp , by C. G. Barrett. Symmoca signatella, H.-S.,
a recent addition to the British fauna, by A. F. Griffith. A Fortnight in
Algeria, with descriptions of new Lepidoptera, by E. Meyrick. Occur-
rence at Portland of 7enia subtile//a, a species new to the British fauna,
by N. M. Richardson, On the British species of the genus Pityophthorus,
_by W. F. Blandford. On the Oviposition of Metecus paradoxus, by
Algernon Chapman. Note ona new Cicinde/a from North Japan, by G.
Lewis. On the British species of the genus Cicaduda, by James Edwards.
PENNSYLVANIA AND NEw JERSEY SPIDERS OF THE FAMILY LycosID&,
by Witmer Stone (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1890, p. 420). A table of the
genera and species by which they may be determined is given, and the
species described in full. Three new species are described: Pirata ele-
_gans, P. marxi and Pardosa nigra.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE of the described transformations of N.
American Coleoptera, by Wm. Beutenmiiller (Jour. N. Y. Microscopical
Society, vol. vii, No. 1). Those interested in the subject owe thanks to
Mr. Beutenmiiller for a very useful work. and one that has cost him much
time and labor.
List OF THE D1uURNAL LEPIDOPTERA taken by Mr. Wm. Doherty, of
Cincinnati, in Celebes, June and July, 1887, with descriptions of some ap-
parently new forms, by Rev. W. J. Holland (Proc. Bost. Nat. Hist. Soc.
1890, pages 52 to 79).
SIXTH REPORT OF THE INJURIOUS AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE STATE
oF NEw York, by J. A. Lintner, Ph.D., State Entomologist. This con-
tains the usual amount of interesting subjects in economic entomology,
with a very useful and complete index.
University oF NEVADA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bull.
No. 8, by F. H. Hillman. The Codling moth (Carpocapsa pomonella),
its life-history, and remedies for its extermination. Bulletin No. 9.—A
Serious Rose Pest (Lithophane antennata). Bulletin No. 10o.—Plant-lice
infesting the Apple (illustrated). Bulletin No. 11.—The Pear and Cherry
Slug (Se/andria cerasi).
PURDUE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bulletin
No. 33, vol. ii, Lafayette, Ind.—Entomological Notes, by T. M. Webster.
Experiments with the Plum Curculio. Notes on Strawberry Insects, Zy-
loderma fragarie. The field cricket, Ha/tica ignita. Some hitherto un-
_ recorded Enemies of Raspberries and Blackberries, Solenopsis fugax,
Limonus auripilus, Carpophilus brachypterus, Inlus impressus, Cosmo-
bepla carnifex.
3*
a: ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
BroLoGiaA CENTRALI-AMERICANA, Part 39, No
part 1, by G. H. Horn (pp. 193-257, pl. x); vol. iv, part 2, by
pion (pl. x); vol. iv, part 3, by D. charcoal i, pat
ment, by M. Jacoby (pp. 217-224). Hymenoptera: vol. ii, by C
(pl. 7). Lepidoptera Rhopalocera: vol. ii, by F. I
Salvin (plates 68, 69). Diptera: vol. ii, by FM. M. Van c
208). .
Nat. Hist. oF VicToria.-Beodeginus of the 7
Decade 20, by Fred. McCoy. Life-history of G el
colored figures of imago, larva, chrysalis, COCORRG et
itea and P. kershawi. a
- THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE> NaturaL HISTORY
—Notes on Longicorn Coleoptera of the Group Ceram
scriptions of new genera and species, by Charles J. Gal
pidoptera in a collection made by Emin Pasha in Ce
Arthur G. Butler. Descriptions of ten new species of b
the northwest coast of Madagascar, by H. Grose Smith.
two new Scarabzeide of the genus Phaneus, by C. O.
scriptions of new species of Lepidoptera collected by |
at Bangala, on the Congo, by Mary Sharpe. D
new species of Chalcosiide, by,
Packard’s papers entitled,
‘Hints on the Evolution of the id *
Caterpillars,’ by A. G. Butler. Description of a new
of Rhyncophorus Coleoptera, by 2. Sharp.
THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL \CIET
Part 4, 1890.*—A Catalogue of the Pyralidina of Saleen a1
J. Elwes and the late Otto Moller, by Pieter C. T. Sine
H. J. Elwes. Ona species of Aphideous insects infes
trees in Ceylon, by Prof. John O. Westwood. Further r
onymy of the genera of Noctuites, by A. G. Butler. ©
RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MusEuM, vol. i, NG ‘Ss
optera: Cicindelide, Carabidze and Buprestide, by T
with descriptions. of new species.
ANNALS OF THE New York AcADEMy OF SCIENCES,
12.—Coleopterological Notices, by Thomas L. Casey, r
Tenebrionidz, with descriptions of new species, etc: —
ARCHIVES DE ZOOLOGIE EXPERIMENTALE ET GE
suppl., 1887-1890.—Contribution to the Study of the Br
Arthropods, by G. Saint Remy; 14 plates, 274 pag
treats of the Myriapoda, Arachnida and
ZOOLOGICAL L RECORD for 1889.—Insecta, by Dr. Da
* Three plates; two colored.
e; mersor.) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 59
CompTE-RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Dec. 6, ’90.
—Note on the Buprestidz of Chota-Nagpore,* by C. Kerremans. Note
on some Coleoptera Heteromera of Belgium, by L. Coucke. Note on
the Trictenotomide, Prionidze and Cerambycidz of Chota-Nagpore,* by
A. Lameere; Kunbir, Sakuntala, n. gen. Annotations to the lists of in-
digenous carnivorous Coleoptera, by A. P. de Borre.
_ Species DES HYMENOPTERES D’ EUROPE ET D’ALGERIE, by Ed. Andre,
_ 37e Fascicule, Nov. 1, 1890, 4 plates.
ArcHiv FUR MIKROSCOPISCHE ANATOMIE, xxxvii, heft 4, 1890. The
malodoriferous glands of the Forficulidz, by Dr. J. Vosseler; 1 plate.
BERLINER ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT, xxxv, heft 2, 1890. The
group of the Hymenopterous genera Leucospis Fab., Polistomorpha
Westw., and Marres Walk.: Monograph,* by A. Schletter: 2 plates, Z.
Rileyi, Mex.,n sp. Hilarimorpha Schin. isa Leptid, C. R. Osten Sacken.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Jan. 5, 1891.—On the embryology of Pha-
langium, V. Faussek.
_ Le NATURALISTE, Jan. 15, 1891.—Diagnoses of new Acarina,* by Dr.
E. Trouessart. Entomological Recreation [on the larva of Teresias
serra Steph.], by M. Decaux.
Myriarpopa REGNI HUNGARIZ E COMMISSIONE REGIZ SOCIETATIS
HuNGARIC2 SCIENTIARUM NATURALIUM,* by Dr. Eugenius Daday de
Deés. Budapest, 1889, 126 pp., 3 plates. A synopsis of the Myriapoda
of Hungary, printed in Magyar, but with the specific, generic and other
_ characters in Latin.
| MITTHEILUNGEN DER SECTION FUR NATURKUNDE DES OSTERREICH-
ISCHEN TOURISTEN-CLUvpz. II. Jahrgang, Wien, 1890.—List of the Arthro-
poda hitherto found in caves in Europe, by E. Simon, L. Bedel and L.
Ganglbauer; comprises Crustacea, Arachnida, Myriapoda, Coleoptera,
Orthoptera, Thysanura and Diptera.
SCHRIFTEN DER NATURFORSCHENDEN GESELLSCHAFT IN DANZIG; Neue
Folge, VII Bd., 3 heft, 1890.—Life-history of two snout beetles and In-
sects on ferns, by C. G. A. Brischke. Butterflies caught by Drosera an-
gelica Huds., by Dr. H. von Klinggraeff. Addition to Bachman’s con-
tributions to the Dipterous fauna of the provinces of West and East Prussia,
and Some Ichneumonidz and Saw-flies entirely new, or new to West
Prussia, by C. G. A. Brischke.
It NATURALISTA SICILIANO, November-December, 1890.—Contribu-
tions to the Lepidopterological Fauna of Sicily; descriptions of new
species,* by L. Failla-Tedaldi. Studies in Sicilian entomology [Otior-
rhynchidz], by F. Vitale. The — produced by insects, by E Arculeo.
* Contains new species other than North American.
60 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. - [March,
JENAISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT FUR NATURWISSENSCHAFT, xxv, heft rand 2,
Jena, 1890.—Hemidiptera Haeckelii, by Dr. N. Leon, 1 plate. The poison
apparatus of Formica rufa, a reduced organ, by Dr. O. W. Beyer, 2 pls.
JAHRBUCHER DES NASSAUISCHEN VEREINS FUR NATURKUNDE, Jahrgang,
43, Wiesbaden, 1890.—Contributions to the Lepidopterous Fauna of the —
Malay Archipelago, vi. On the Butterflies of East Java,* by Dr. A.
Pagenstecher. :
Doings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.—
A regular meeting was held Jan. 22, 1891, Director Dr. Horn im the chair.
Members present: E. T. Cresson, Martindale, Ridings, G. B. Cresson and
Skinner. Associates: Calvert, Westcott, Fox, E. Seeber, Liebeck and
Dr. Skinner. Mr. Neel visitor. Dr. Horn stated that he had been study-
ing the species of Agridus, and found them more numerous and more
difficult than he had imagined, but he hoped to get them in such shape
that students could do more with them. The characters of the claws were ©
discussed, and the speaker said it was necessary to see the claws of both
sexes and the front and hind claws also. He proposed to divide them into
groups separated by different types of claws. The difficulties of the sub-
ject were illustrated by drawings on the blackboard, and characters of
more or less value were mentioned and considered at length. Mr. Calvert
spoke on the genus /schnura, stating that there were two local species:
verticalis Say and Ramburii Selys. Partly owing to the imperfect de-
scription in Dr. Hagen’s Synopsis of 1861, he had hitherto mistaken the
orange females of both verticalis and Ramburii as belonging to Ramburit.
He believed that the orange females of verticalis could be distinguished —
from those of Ramburii by having a black lateral dorsal thoracic stripe
wanting in Raméurii. Mr. Martindale mentioned that in the January
number of News was an article by Mrs. Slosson on P. assimilans, which
showed how species could be lost for even a great number of years and
then refound. The only specimens known until Mrs. Slosson’s redis-
covery were the two worn and damaged specimens in the British Museum, eh
He exhibited colored figures of these interesting moths intended for En- tial $a
_ TOMOLOGICAL News. He also mentioned here rediscovery of r
echo. Dr. Horn called attention to the fact that, in 1850, on Dr. LeC
return from California, he described a species—Acrepis maculata. ‘The
type of this went to the bottom on its way to Europe. It was recently
rediscovered by the speaker in a collection made by the late H. K. Mor-
rison, and none have been found since.
* Contains new species other than North American.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for February was mailed February 2, 1891. a ‘
Pie iy;
1k
News, Vol.
nt.
E
_
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. II. APRIL, 18or. No. 4.
CON TEN Ps:
Dyar—A Revision of the species of Eu- Harvey—Odonata of Maine........-.cssee 73
clea, Parasa and Packardia, etc...... 61 | Notes and NeWS.....ccmsccccssssesessessenreese 76
Johnson—Hunting Catocale...........:.... 62 | Entomological Literature........scsssecseees 78
_ P. P.C.—Elementary Entomology....... 66 | Doings Of Societies......-.sessescesreccessccses 80
Edwards—Inguromorpha Slossonii...... 71
A Revision of the Species of Euclea, Parasa and
Packardia, with Notes on Adoneta, Mono-
Jeuca and Varina ornata Neum.
BY HARRISON G. DYAR.
(This paper will appear in its entirety in the Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 1891.)
After studying a series of specimens kindly loaned to me by
Mr. E. L. Graef, as well as those in my own collection, I. have
reached the conclusion that the species Zuclea cippus Cram. in-
cludes the considerable range in variation represented by figs.
r to 11 on Plate IV.
Euclea cippus var. interjecta n. var. (PI. iv, figs. 7 and 8.)
A row of green dots, sometimes partly confluent, connects the
sub-apical spot with the outer part of the sub-basal spot.
Euclea nana n. sp. (PI. iv, fig. 15.)
Purplish brown, the secondaries a little paler. On the prima-
ries a small, round, discal dot, and two rounded pea-green
_ patches, the sub-apical nearly circular, the sub-basal large, not
deeply excavated externally, and both succeeded by orange ferru-
ginous spots, broken on the veins.
4
62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
Parasa viridus Reak. (PI. iv, fig. 18.)
My reasons for naming the species of Parasa, as above, will
appear in the full article it Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc.
Monoleuca subdentosa n. sp. (PI. iv, fig. 21.)
Allied to semifascia, but perhaps a little smaller. Upright band
silvery-white, narrow, twice regularly angulated, not crossing
median vein nor extending onto fringe. The space between this
and the base of the wing is filled in with an ocherous brown
shading, paler than the rest of the wing.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Auclea cippus, var. delphinii Boisd.
“4, 5 and 6, Euclea cippus, var. querceti Her.-Sch.
7 and 8, Euclea cippus, var. interjecta Dyar.
9g, 1o and 11, Euclea cippus, var. monitor Pack.
‘* 12, Euclea elliotii Pearsall ¢.
“oy 3, “ «c Q 2
‘* 14, Euclea penulata Clem. J.
15, Zuclea nana Dyar %.
16, Euclea incisa Harv. 3.
“6g 7, “ “ 2 z
‘© 18, Parasa viridus Reak. 3.
““ 19, Parasa chloris Her.-Sch. &.
20, Monoleuca semifascia Walk. 2.
21, Monoleuca subdentosa Dyar 2.
22, Packardia elegans Pack. &.
23, Packardia geminata Pack. 3.
‘* 24, Packardia albipunctata Pack. 2.
25, 3.
“ce
an
HUNTING CATOCALA.
BY JAS. S. JOHNSON.
I have been frequently asked, where do you find so many
Catocale? And my answer invariably is, in the wood. Yes,
but how and when? To these questions I write this answer. To
the young collector in entomology his first care is to be a close
observer of the habits of insects; I think I can safely say that
almost every butterfly and moth has its own peculiarity of flight
or resting, or something that distinguishes it from its companions
of another species. In hunting for Catocale during the day-time,
it is well known that when disturbed they will fly generally only
1891. | .. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 63
a short distance to another tree, or perhaps not leave the tree on
which disturbed, only alight a few feet lower, higher or around
on the other side. It is also well known that after being dis-
turbed they are more alert and quicker to take flight, whether
-it be from sound, sight or shadow of the hunter, I leave for con-
jecture. The next thing the student must learn is the bark of
the trees; all barks are not alike, neither in color, shape, or mark-
‘ings; I mention this for Catocalze resemble the barks so nearly
that one must become practiced to anything out of the line of the
usual markings of the tree to detect them.
Now, with this brief introduction, we will go to some piece of
wood-land; a good place would be where there is a fair quantity
of large trees, some young beech, plenty of underbrush, and
better still where the owner does not turn his cattle in. On ar-
riving we arrange our tools and collecting-box; the collecting-box
should be made of as light material as possible, book-shaped,
cork-lined, and in depth to pin on each side, hang by a strap over
the shoulder, and a little in front of the body on the left side, this
will give the collector ample play with both arms and hands. The
collecting-bottle can be made either of tin or a wide-mouthed glass
jar, and charged with cyanide of potassium or ether; should I
be going a long distance I take the former, if near by the latter.
To make the former I get from the druggist a glass jar, some
four or five inches high, with a mouth not under two inches in
diameter, take one ounce or so of cyanide of potassium, break it
into small pieces, and put into your jar, then pour on dry plaster
of Paris to nearly cover the cyanide, next mix some plaster of
Paris with water about the consistency of thick cream, pour this
over the rest, about a quarter of an inch thick; when dry your
bottle is ready for work. If you use ether, place a wad of raw
cotton, say one-half an inch thick at the bottom of the jar and
make a tight fitting piece of perforated card board or cork to
cover it, charge it by pouring the ether in, about a tablespoonful;
keep this well corked, and always take a small vial of ether with
you to recharge when necessary. The next instrument, and the
most important to me, I call a gig or stabber, made from a me-
_ tallic pen-holder, or even a smooth stick would do, by fastening
on the end three needles, triangular shaped, thus *.* ; this instru-
ment I find extremely useful in capturing any moths at rest, by
| piercing them through the thorax, they adhering to the instru-
64 -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [April,
ment. In places where you cannot get your collecting-bottle you
can readily take them by this means. Do not take a net for any
moth, it spoils all the beauty. Your next and last article is a
sapling about four.-or five feet long, which you can cut in the
wood from a bough of a tree or undergrowth; trim it clear of
leaves and switches; this is for rubbing or beating the trees to
disturb any you have overlooked.
Place your collecting-bottle in your right hand coat pocket, the
gig over your ear as a clerk would a pen, the sapling in your
right hand, and start through the wood. First we come to some
undergrowth or brushy beech tree, rattle among the leaves with
your rod and watch results; should you disturb any watch where
they alight and go for them, if not move on and try again. We
now come to a large tree, examine carefully the bark as far as the
eye can reach to the ground, note the layers and fissures of the
bark; should you see any V-shaped marking or inverted A ex-
amine closely, the chances are a Catocala; use your bottle or
stabber; after taking off all you see, or if none, then take the rod
and go around the tree rubbing it up.and down the bark, or beat
it a few sharp raps; if any they will fly to a near by tree, watch
and go for them, step lightly, move cautiously, steady your hand,
you have it. The best time to hunt for them is on a close, hot
afternoon between two and five o’clock, more particularly if there
has been three or more successive hot days. Yet you can find
some at any time of day, I have taken some as early as five
o’clock a.m., and all along until sun down, but as the day grows
on towards night, the wood becoming dusk, they are prepared
for flight and on the alert, and it becomes hard to follow their
flight. It is almost useless to go hunting for Catocale after a
heavy rain or a thunder gust; you may capture a few, but nearly
all are battered and torn. I was never successful in this locality
by baiting, sugaring or night hunting, having tried several for-
mulz, perhaps, however, it was because I could not give it the
time for a successful issue. My esteemed friend, Dr. James S.
Baily (now deceased), was exceedingly fortunate at baiting, near
Albany, N. Y., capturing hundreds of fine specimens. The bait
he used was composed of sour beer, molasses and brown sugar;
he would paint the trees with this mixture during the afternoon
and make the captures between 8 o’clock and midnight;, some-
times it would be nearly a week before they would take to the bait.
yo
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 65
Dr. Hammond and I tried this formula‘during last Summer,
but with little or no success, we also soaked strings of dried
apples i in the mixture and placed them on the trees with the same
result, I then plastered some-decayed bananas on the bark of the
trees, from which we captured a few Catocale and numbers of
small Noctuz. I have no doubt but the decayed fruit if fairly
tested and tried would be a success, either bananas or pears. To
collect at night you need only your collecting-box, bottle, and a
lantern; I painted or baited the trees about waist high and a few
inches square, then with a leather belt around the waist, with a
dark lantern fastened thereto,.I could walk up to the trees with
my hands free and plenty of light. I noticed on nights during
an electrical storm, z.e., plenty of flashes of heat lightning with
no thunder, there were few or no specimens of any kind.
The following table will give the time of appearance of the
different species in’ the vicinity of Frankford, Philadelphia, com-
‘piled from my diary of several years. I might remark that
north or south of here would make a few days difference either
way, and again after a dry hot Spring would make ten or twelve
days difference.
First Last First Last
Capture.| Capture. Capture.|. Capture.
MEER sxcr.ovsvesess cua. June 24 Sept. 8 [[C. parta ...s.0.-.0-+ July 21 Oct. 10
coccinata ............ July 23 Aug. 4 pita lit eRe ee Sept 27
grynea ................ June 24 July 26 ponderosa .........| ' 26 .
ulalume........ ..... July 23 Aug. 13 SOTCIAA ..-+--sereeeee rs July 16
insolabilis ... «| June 25 Sept. 8 Cartiicceasesssieeen Aug. 6 pt. 13
Angusi ............... July 29 18 var. carissima..| ‘ 8 Pt 30° |
ae June 27 ae cerogama.. .....:..] .:* 8 Peck <3. |
var. linella ...... aba 4 Ra) desperata ........+. ing -
Os i 2S, 5 AMALTIX.----eeeee| |g Oct. 8
S€FENA.......00000 0. ae + lee Bh var. nurus........ —* 10 Sept. 27 |
ilia var....-.. ........| ‘28 er yy Robinsonii-........ 30 DES ae
flebilis. duly 4 iAtTEge cesarean ces e110.) aug. ar |
Cordelia............... une 28 July 2r innubens ........... ches Ft Oct. 6
MINULA . --s-eeeeeeee July 8 |. Aug. 13 var. hinda........ eo % Aug. 28 |
ultronia.... .......... eS Sept. 8 var. flavidalis..) ‘ 15 she !
var. mopsa.. cent Aug. 16 var. scintillans.| ‘* 16 aE /
Judith (Levettii).. a: 36 Sept. 27 - antinympha ..... 20 eeeer
obscura (residua) B86 SEO concumbens ...... Meh el (Ais LN |
var. simulatilis.; ‘‘ 10 of ae UNIUQA ---.0s000 000. <3 ae Sept. 21
NEOGAMA....-+-++++++ “¢+ 10 Aug. 28 marmorata ....... Sept. 6 =e G
EPIONE..............00 ‘CRE Sept. 21 Viduata «...-..0000. Aug. 28 ‘x2 |
‘palzogama......... Se Aug. 22 lacrymosa.......... Pa “ar |
var. phalanga...| “ 14 July 21 lacrymosa var..|. “25 sk I
Subnata........ -+++++ ie te ee relictaseai..... iy 29 “30
tristis .. 6 Sept. 8
amasia.... bog) F -aae
retecta +19 Aug..10 Total, 51 species and varieties.
66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
Tenth Paper.—THE ORDERS OF INSECTS.
In the first paper of this series (ENT. News, Vol. I, pp. 72, 73)
_ was indicated the division of the Arthropoda into classes. Of
these, the Insecta (Hexapoda) formed the fifth class. The class
of insects is divided into orders. Entomologists differ in the
classifications which they employ. In this paper will be pre-
sented the chief classifications used in this country, without at-
tempting to designate any one classification as the best.
The oldest and the simplest classification is that used in Dr.
Packard’s ‘‘ Guide’’ in the editions previous to the sixth. The
class Insecta is divided into three orders: Hexapoda, Arachnida
and Myriapoda. The order Hexapoda is divided into the follow-
_ ing suborders:
1. Hymenoptera (membrane wings*). Head large. Mouth-parts de-
veloped both for biting and sucking. Wings small, powerful, with com-
paratively few and irregularly branched veins. Transformations complete.
In the higherf and more typical forms, the first abdominal segment is
intimately united with the thorax. Examples: Bees, Wasps, Ants, Saw-
flies.
2. Lepidoptera (scale wings). Body cylindrical, compact. Head small,
clypeus large (in proportion). Mouth-parts developed for sucking.
Maxillz prolonged into a tubular “‘ tongue.’’ Mandibles obsolete. Wings
broad, regularly veined, covered with minute scales. Transformations
complete. Butterflies, Moths. ;
3. Diptera (two wings). Only two wings, the hind pair represented by
halteres. Thorax greatly centralized, more or less globular. Mouth- —
parts developed for sucking. Labrum, and the bristle-like mandibles and
maxillze ensheathed partially within the labium to form a beak. Maxil-
lary palpi present. Transformations complete. Mosquitos, House-flies.
4. Coleoptera (sheath wings). Front wings developed as elytra which
cover the folded hind wings, and also the two posterior thoracic segments
and the abdomen. Mouth-parts developed for biting, Transformations
complete. Beetles.
5. Hemiptera (half wings). Mouth-parts developed for sucking. The
style-like mandibles and maxillze ensheathed by the labium to form a beak.
Labrum small, short. Maxillary palpi absent. Prothorax free, large.
Front wings often half horny, half membranous (hemelytra). Transfor-
* As each ordinal name is used for the first time in this paper, it will be followed by a
literal translation of the Greek words from which it is formed.
+ Le., more specialized.
SS eee
‘‘ Introduction to Entomology,
- 1891.] -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. — 67
mations incomplete. Plant-lice, Scale-insects, Cicadas, Chinch-, Squash-
and Bed-bugs, Lice.
6. Orthoptera (straight wings). Mouth-parts developed for biting.
Front wings developed as tegmina to cover the folded hind wings. Hind
legs large, adapted for leaping. Transformations incomplete. Grass-
hoppers, Crickets, Cockroaches, Earwigs.
7. Neuroptera (nerve wings). Wings large, broad, net-veined, mem-.
branous. Mouth-parts developed for biting. Transformations complete
and incomplete. White Ants, Stone-, May- and Dragonflies, Ant Lions,
Fish Moths and Spring Tails.
In the sixth and following editions the Fish Moths and Spring Tails are
considered as a distinct order, 8. Thysanura (fringe tails) whose characters
are wingless, no transformations.
A second classification is that used by Prof. Comstock in his
’’ 1888, pp. 48, 49:
I. Wingless insects which show no evidences of having descended from
winged ancestors (7.¢., in which the thorax is simple in structure), and
which undergo no metamorphosis (Syzapé/era). Order 1. Thysanura.
II. Winged insects; or wingless insects in which this condition is the
result of a retrograde development, indicated by the complicated struc-
ture of the thorax, or by the presence of wings in closely allied forms
(Pterygogenea).
1. Metamorphosis incomplete, Ammetabola (without change).
A. Mouth-parts formed for biting, z.e., with the mandibles and maxillz in
the form of jaws.
a. The two pairs of wings similar in structure, membranous. _
Order 2. Pseudoneuroptera (false Neuroptera).
6. The first pair of wings parchment like (tegmina); the second
pair membranous, and folded in plaits longitudinally.
Order 3. Orthoptera.
B. Mouth-parts intermediate in structure between those of the biting in-
sects.and those of the sucking insects, viz, with bristle-like
mandibles, and with flat triangular maxillz.
Order 4. Physopoda (swelled feet).
ee Mouth-parts formed for sucking, viz., with the mandibles and maxillze
bristle like. Order 5. Hemiptera.
2. Metamorphosis complete. J/efabol/a (change).
A. Mouth-parts formed for biting.
a. The two pairs of wings similar in structure, membranous, with
many veins and cells. Order 6. Neuroptera.
6. The first pair of wings (elytra) much thickened, horny through-
out their entire length, and meeting in a straight line down
the back; the second pair membranous. Order 9. Coleoptera.
68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
B. Mouth-parts formed for both biting and sucking, viz., with the mandi-
bles in the form of jaws; and with the maxillze and labium
fitted for taking liquid food. Both pairs of wings membra-
nous, with few veins and cells. Order 10. Hymenoptera.
C. Mouth-parts formed for sucking.
a. With four wings clothed with minute, imbricated scales; mandi-
bles rudimentary; maxillz developed into a sucking tube. —
Order 7. Lepidoptera.
6. With only two wings; hind wings represented by a pair of
knobbed, thread-like organs (halteres); mandibles and max-
illz bristle like. Order 8. Diptera.
In this classification, Orders 1, 3, 7, 8, g and 10 correspond to the simi-
larly named suborders of the ‘‘ Guide; 2 (White Ants, Stone-, May- and
Dragonflies) and 6 (Ant Lions) correspond to the Neuroptera, and 4
( Thrips*) and 5 to the Hemiptera of the “ Guide. ?
The classification used by Dr. Packard in his “ Entomol
for Beginners,’’ second edition, 1889, and which he says7 will
probably be introduced into the next edition of his ‘‘ Guide,”’
follows. After the statement of the characters of each order, is
placed the common and the generic names of some of the rep-
resentative insects thereof.
Series I. AMETABOLA.—Metamorphosis incomplete.
Order 1. Thysanura.—Wingless, minute, wlth a spring, or abdomen
ending in a pair of caudal stylets; usually no compound eyes; no meta-
morphoses. Fish moth, Lepisma; Spring tail, Podura.
2. Dermaptera (skin wings).—Body flat; abdomen ending in a forceps;
fore wings small, elytra-like; hind wings ample, folded under first pair.
Earwig, Forficula.
3. Orthoptera.— Wings net-veined; fore wings narrow, straight, not often —
used in flight; hind wings large and folded when at rest under the first
pair. Cockroach, B/atta; True Locust, Acridium; Cricket, Gryllus,
4. Platyptera (broad wings).—Body usually flattened. Pronotum usually
large and square; often wingless. Bird lice, fam. Mallophaga; Stone-fly,
Perla; Book louse, Psocus; White Ant, Termes. '
5. Odonata (toothed, referring to the mandibles and maxillz). —Protho-
rax small; remainder of thorax spherical; both pairs of wings of nearly
the same size, net-velned. Larve and pupe aquatic; labium of larva
forming a mask. Dragonfly, Libed/ula.
* “Tt should be borne in mind that the insect commonly called 7he Thrips, that infests
the leaves of grape, is not a member of this order [Physopoda,] but one of the Leaf-hop-
pers | Zrythroneura) (family Jassidz, of the order Hemiptera). The misapplication of the
name Thrips to this insect is often the cause of confusion.’’—Comstock, Intro. p. 124.
t Guide, ninth edition, 1889. Preface.
‘a
1891. ] -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 69
6.-Plectoptera (plaited wings).—Mouth-parts nearly obsolete. Wings
net-veined; hind pair small, sometimes wanting. Abdomen ending in
three filaments. Larva aquatic, with large jaws and with gills on the
sides of the hind body. Mayfly, Ephemera.
7. Thysanoptera (fringe wings).—Mouth-parts forming. a short conical
sucker; palpi present; wings narrow, net-veined, fringed; feet bulbous at
the end, without claws. 7Zzhrips.
8. Hemiptera.— Mouth-parts forming a sucking beak. Prothorax usually
large; fore wings often thickened at base. Louse, Pediculus,; Scale insect,
Coccus; Plant louse, Aphis; Cicada; Chinchbug, Biissus; Squashbug,
Anasa; Bedbug, (Cimea), Acanthia.
Secs TN) ee ae be.
., Series II. METABoLA.—Metamorphosis complete.
9. Neuroptera.—W ings net-veined; mouth-parts free, adapted for biting;
ligula large, rounded; pronotum large, square. Larve often aquatic.
Corydalis. WLacewing fly, Chrysopa; Ant lion, Myrmedeon.
10. Mecoptera (length wings).—Wings somewhat net-veined or absent;
head lengthened into a beak-like projéction. Larve like caterpillars.
Scorpion fly, Panorpa. |
11. Trichoptera (hair wings). —Wings and body like those of Tineid
moths [clothed with hairs]; mandibles obsolete in the imago. Larvz
usually aquatic, living in cases. Caddis fly, Phryganea.
12. Coleoptera.—Fore wings thick, ensheathing the hinder pair, which
are alone used in flight; mouth-parts free, adapted for biting. Beetles,
Carabus, Cicindela, Scarabeus; Weevil, Curculio; Chrysomela; Lady
bird, Coccinella.
13. Siphonaptera (tube, without, wings).—Wingless; mouth-parts adapted
for sucking. Larve maggot-like, but with a well developed head and
mouth-parts. Flea, Pulex.
14. Diptera—Only_ two wings; mouth-parts adapted for lapping and
sucking. Mosquito, Cu/ea; Housefly, Wusca; Horsefly, Tabanus.
15. Lepidoptera.— Body and wings covered with scales; maxille length-
ened into a very long tongue. Larve (caterpillars) with abdominal legs.
Butterfly, Papilio; Moths, Sphina, Bombyx, Noctua, Phalena, Tinea.
16. Hymenoptera.—Wings clear, with few veins; mouth-parts with a va-
riety of functions, 7.¢., biting, lapping liquids, etc. In the higher families
the thorax consists of four segments, the first abdominal segment of the
larva being transferred to the thorax in the pupa and imago. Honey Bee,
Apis; Wasp, Vespa; Ant, Formica; Ichneumonfly, /chneumon; Gallfly,
Cynips; Sawfly, Tenthredo.
The correspondence of these orders to thdse of Prof. Comstock is as
follows; 1, 8, 12, 15 and 16 to the similarly named orders; 2 and 3 to the
Orthoptera; 4, 5 and 6 to the Pseudoneuroptera; 7 to the Physopoda; 9,
Io and 11 to the Neuroptera; 13 and 14 to the Diptera.
70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
In the Standard Natural History, edited by J. S. Kingsley, vol.
ii, 1884, the orders are:
1, Thysanura; 2, Dermatoptera; 3, Pseudoneuroptera; 4, Neuroptera; 5,
Orthoptera; 6, Hemiptera; 7, Coleoptera; 8, Diptera; 9, Aphaniptera (un-
seen wings); 10, Lepidoptera; 11, Hymenoptera.
Here 2 and 9 correspond to the Dermaptera and Siphonaptera of the
‘‘Entomology for Beginners;’’ otherwise the orders correspond to the
similarly named orders of Prof. Comstock, except that No. 6 includes both
his Hemiptera and Physopoda. _
In Claus and Sedgewick’s Text Book of Zodlogy, vol. i, 1885,
the orders stand: .
1, Thysanura; 2, Orthoptera; 3, Neuroptera; 4, Strepsiptera (twisted
wings) ; 5, Rhynchota (beaked) ; 6, Diptera; 7, Lepidoptera; 8, Coleoptera ;
9, Hymenoptera.
Here the Orthoptera includes orders 2, 3 and 4 of Prof. Comstock; the
Rhynchota are his Hemiptera; the Strepsiptera (which includes a single
family of beetles, Stylopide, having only the hind wings developed, the
front wings represented by pseudo-halteres) and the Coleoptera are equiv-
alent to his Coleoptera; the other orders are the same as his.
Other names sometimes used as ordinal are Plecoptera (folded wings)
for the family Perlidz, Stone flies; Corrodentia (gnawers) for the Mallo-
phaga, Psocidz and Termites; Homoptera (same wings) and Heteroptera
(diverse wings) for two divisions of the Hemiptera, the one having wings
of the same thickness throughout, the other with the front wings as hem-
elytra; Euplexoptera (well-folded wings) for Dermaptera.
On comparing the classification from the ‘‘ Entomology for
Beginners’’ with the others here quoted, it will be seen that the
differences’ between them depend very largely on the answers
given to such questions as this: Are the groups Platyptera,
Odonata and Plectoptera, for instance, of the same value, z.é., as
distinct from each other, as the Lepidoptera are from the Hymen-
optera? Ever-widening knowledge alone will settle such questions.
Two things must be remembered in dealing with classification.
The first is that-very many ordinal, family and generic characters
admit of exceptions in the shape of intermediate forms. As Dr.
Leidy has said: ‘‘ Our divisions in nature [are, ] to a great extent,
matters of convenience.’’* Secondly, the natural arrangement
of the orders and other groups is not linear. It is rather to be
compared to the position of countries upon a map, or to the
branches of a tree. This latter comparison is especially useful
when taken into connection with the evolution of species.
* Lecture of Oct. 10, 1888, at Biological Department, University of Pennsylvania, Phila-
delphia. See also Ent. NEws, vol. ii, p. 47, at bottom.
pe
i
SS ee
1891. ] -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 71
_ With this the papers on Insects in general conclude. Imper-
fect as they are, the writer will be repaid for his labor—almost
wholly of compilation—if they shall be helpful to any students
of Entomology. PAP
The first of a series of elementary papers on Lepidoptera will
appear in the May number of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws.
ray
U
INGUROMORPHA SLOSSONII Hy. Edw.
BY HENRY EDWARDS.
On page 183, vol. iii, of ‘‘ Entomologica Americana,’’ I pub-
lished, under the above name, a description of a curious Cossid
taken by Mrs. A. T. Slosson, in Florida, early in 1887. The
species was so unlike anything with which I was familiar, that I
concluded it to be new, but before describing it I submitted it to
Dr. Packard and Prof. J. B. Smith, to both of whom it was un-
known. I therefore placed it on record. Sometime afterwards
I forwarded to Mr. A..G. Butler, of the British Museum, a draw-
ing of the insect made by Mrs. Slosson, and was astonished to
find from him that the species was = Cossus basalts Walk., which
is given in the Catal. B. M. p..1523, with the ‘‘ country unknown.”’
In this connection I think it advisable to give Walker’s descrip-
tion in full, which is as follows:
**Male.—Whitish, moderately stout. Head, palpi and antennz black-
ish. Palpi extending as far as the head; third joint acute, conical. An-
tennez slightly pectinated, a little longer than the thorax. Abdomen ex-
tending for more than half its length beyond the hind wings. Wings
narrow, slightly reticulated with minute transverse black marks. Fore
wings with a black band near the base, and with a black curved subapical
band. Length of the body 6 lines; of the wings 14 lines.”
In May, 1888, I visited England, and saw the type in the. British
Museum, without any record of locality, or other label by which
it could be recognized. It seems to me now highly probable that
it might be among the specimens taken by Mr. Edward Double-
day during his visit to the United States.
There was no doubt, whatever, of the identity of Walker’s
type with Mrs. Slosson’s specimens. But a greater surprise than
72 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
this was in store for me. Early in 1889, business led me to Bos.
ton, and, as usual, I visited my friend, Mr. Samuel Henshaw, of —
the Boston Natural History Society. He showed me the volume
of original drawings by Abbot, presented to the Museum by the
late Dr. Asa Gray, and on plate 108 of the series I found excel-
lent figures of both $ and 9 of the Cossid, with colored figures
also of the larva and pupa. But the 9 is no other than the
beautiful moth described by the late Dr. James Bailey as Cossuda
magnifica (‘‘ Papilio,’’ vol. ii, p. 93, 1882). Dr. Bailey’s de-
scription, with a colored figure of 6 and @ and of the pupa,
was republished in Bulletin No. 3, Division of Entomology U. S.
Department of Agriculture, 1883, but Dr. Bailey has undoubtedly
fallen into an error in figuring what he calls the 6, as the speci-
mens in his cabinet were both females, and in fact none but fe-
males have been known until the discovery of the identity of the
species with C. dasalis, while so accurate an observer as Abbot —
would not be likely to be confounded in the species. He gives
it as one especially familiar to him, as evidenced by his draw-
ings of the early stages. The antenne are heavily péctinated in
both sexes and the neuration would appear to give the species
generic rank, so that Dr. Bailey was undoubtedly right in form-
ing a new genus for its ip eae The synonymy wins therefore,
stand thus:
Genus COSSULA Bailey.
Cossus Walk.
Inguromorpha Hy. Edw.
C. basalis Walk. J B. M. Cat. p. 1523, 1856.
Cossula magnifica 2 Bailey, Papilio,-vol. ii, p. 93, 1882.
Inguromorpha Slossonii Hy. Edw. Ent. Am. vol. iii, p. 183, 1888.
The females have been taken by Mr. A. Koebele, near Tala-
hassee, and by Dr. Wittfeld at Indian River, while Mrs. Slosson’s
% specimen was obtained at Jacksonville at the electric light.
The % bears a somewhat superficial resemblance to the same sex
of C. guerciperda. 1 should like to add that I am convinced
that the 2 type specimen of C. p/agiata in the British Museum
is nothing more than Rodinie 9, but that C. populi Walk. is a
very distinct species, differing from any I have seen elsewhere.
Se
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 73
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ODONATA OF MAINE.
Specimens in'the Maine State College Collection, or taken near
Orono, Penobscot County, Me., in 1890.
BY F. L. HARVEY.
; (Continued from p. 51, Vol. II, No. 3.)
7. Enallagma civile Hag.—Orono, College Collection.
8. Enallagma Hageni Walsh.—Common over Chemo bog.
_ 9. Nehalennia irene Hag.—Orono, College Collection.
10. Lestes hamata Hag. (L. forcipata Hag. Syn. 1861).—Sep-
tember 3d, Frog Pond, Orono. Common.
11. Lestes forcipata Ramb. (ZL. hamata Hag. Syn. 1861).—
Orono, College Collection.
12. Lestes rectangularis Say.-—July 15th, September ied,
Over bogs. Common. *
13. Lestes disjuncta Selys.—July 15th, August 20th, Septem-
ber 3d; over bogs and ponds; several pairs mating. Abundant.
14. Lestes ineqgualis Walsh.—July 15th; Chemo bog. Several
males and females.
15. Lestes unguiculata Hag.—September 12th. Over bog near
Penobscot River.
Tribe II.—AZSCHNINA.
Subfamily 3-—AESCHNINA.
16. Anax junius Drury.—Orono, State College Collection.
17. schna janaia Say —Orono, State College Collection.
18. <4£schna constricta Say.—Orono. Common over small
brooks in meadows, August to October.
19. 4schna verticalis Hag.—Orono. Common over meadows,
bogs and rivers.
We have one specimen that agrees with this species in mark-
ings, but the length is 78 mm, Alar expanse 100 mm.; ante
cubitals 23; post cubitals 12 on the right wing and ant. cu. 21;
p- c. 13 on the left wing. This specimen has a cross vein in the
first p. c. of right wing and the seventh p. c. of same wing is
very narrow.
_ 20. Aeschna eremtta Scudder.—Orono, College Collection.
21. schna clepsydra? Say.—Orono, College Collection.
22. Neureschna vinosa Say.—Orono, College Collection.
74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April,
Subfamily 4.—GOMPHINA.
23. Gomphus exilis Selys.—Orono, College Collection.
24. Gomphus spinosus Selys.—Orono, College Collection.
25. Gomphus nevius Hag.—July 15th, single 9; Chemo
Stream, over water. This specimen was referred to Mr. P. P.
Calvert, who made the following note:
‘‘ This specimen agrees best with the description of G. nevius
Hag. (in 4th Additions au Synopsis des Gomphines, p. 57), al-
though there are some slight color difference. G. nevius Hag.
was described from a ? from Pennsylvania. It is stated to be
very near G. albistylus Hag. (4th Additions, p. 55) described .
from a 9 from Maine, and some doubt is expressed whether the
two may not be one species. The ¢ of neither has been de-
scribed. Until they are proved to be the same, this specimen
should stand for G. ne@vius, which it resembles more than G.
albistylus.”’
26. Hagenius brevistylus Selys.—July 15th, — Q. Over
Chemo Stream.
Tribe IIIL—LIBELLULINA.
Subfamily 5.—CoORDULINA.
27. Cordulia libera Selys. —August. Single 8; over al
lake, Greenfield.
28. Cordulia Uhleri Selys. sions College Collection.
29. Cordulia cynosura Say.—Orono, College Collection.
Subfamily 6.—LIBELLULINA.
30. Plathemis trimaculata De Geer.—Common over small
brooks and ponds; August and September.
31. Libellula 4-maculata Linn.—Common over brooks; Au-
gust and September.
32. Libellula exusta Say.-—July 15th. Common over Chemo
Stream.
33. Libellula pulchella Drury.—Orono, College Collection.
34. Leucorhinia proxima (Hagen MS.) Calvert.—Orono, Col-
lege Collection.
35. Leucorhinia intacta Hag.—July 15th, Chemo Stream,
Many pairs mating. The labium of all our specimens black,
with the external part of the lobes a little white. The labrum
cream colored. )
1891. ]_ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 75
36. Diplax rubicundula Say.—Orono. Very common. Some-
times fifty in sight at one time over small bogs and creeks in
meadows. The males were repeatedly seen supporting the fe-
males while they were depositing eggs. The female clasped the
male about the middle of the abdomen with her feet, the end of
her abdomen hanging over behind. The two flew over the water,
occasionally lowering quickly until the end of the female abdomen
touched the water when the eggs were probably deposited. We
noticed this species feed upon the young of Diplax vicina Hag.
This is the most common species here from July to October;
quite abundant over grain fields in dry places. One 9? laid 67
spherical white eggs .o2 inches diam. after being caught; eggs
laid rapidly and were dry.
37. Diplax vicina Hag.—Orono; quite common about low
meadows and small creeks. September.
38. Diplax semicincta Say.—Orono; common over meadows
and grain fields with D. rudbicundula July to October.
REMARKS.
The specimens in the college collection areall marked ‘‘ Orono,”
but are without date of collection, habitat, or collector. We
presume they were collected by Prof. C. H. Fernald, formerly of
the Maine State College. The authority for the determinations
is not known, but the writer has compared the specimens with
the descriptions, and in most instances, is satisfied that they are
correctly named. The specimens of schna clepsydra and ere-
mita in the college collection have defective abdominal appen-
dages. As it is upon the structure of these that the above species
are separated, the writer is unable to tell whether the specimens
are correctly named. From the general characters it is certain
that the specimens belong to one or both of the above species,
and, as they are separated in the collection, both may be included
in the list provisionally, awaiting the taking of fresh material.
We are under great obligations to Miss Mattie Wadsworth, Man-
chester, Me., for the loan of specimens for comparison, and to
Mr. P. P. Calvert, Philadelphia, Pa., for identifying some of the
troublesome species. The list does not represent all the Odonata
found here, as several species were seen that were not taken, and
no great pains have been taken to collect exhaustively.
76 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS.
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws solicit, and will thankfully cecdivd items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of rocepaes-
Prof. P. R. UHLER has lately been elected Provost of the Péabody
Academy of Sciences, Baltimore. .
STRANGERS TO THIS VICINITY.—On September 8th, at the electric light,
I captured a fine, fresh Phlegethontius cingulata, and on the morning of
October 4th found a beautiful PAlampelus vitis on my veranda, appar-
ently just emerged.—Jas. S. JOHNSON.
DvRING the past month I have been watching the electric lights in the
streets closely for Euglyphia haroglyphisa, and 1 discovered that our
chickens are quite abreast of the times for smartness. One of our boys
lived near a light on the outskirts of the city that I knew in former years
to be a particularly good one, and I carefully instructed him to be up just
about daybreak every morning to get ahead of the chickens living in the
neighborhood. I may state here that the spécies does not seem to fly
much before 12 P.M. He met with very little success, and I determined
to investigate. I went Saturday night and watched, and the secret was
out; there was about.a dozen chickens—they stay on the edge of the side-
walk all night—they seem to sleep a little while, wake up, walk out to the
light, fill up with the insects that have fallen, go back, sleep an hour lon-
ger, then go out and repeat it, keeping it up all night, in fact never go to
roost at all. How is that for industry ?—J. T. Mason.
I was interested in what Mr. E. P. Van Duzee says in the February
number of the ENromoLtocicaAL News about ‘“ Another Immigration
Theory.” I have in my collection an example of Erebus odora which was
caught by Wm. H. Rice at 60 Park Ave., Chicago, IIl., in 1887; 60 Park
Ave. is in the centre of the residence portion of the west side. He noticed —
it fly under his front porch, and, procuring a strawberry-box, captured it
and brought it to me alive. After submitting it to a short stay in the cya-
nide bottle I spread it and found I had a prize. It is 63 in. spread, with
antennz 14 in. long, perfect to the very tip. The moth is véry perfect,
much more so than any specimen-I have seen. It was evidently lately
hatched, and could not have come any great distance after emerging from
its chrysalis—-W. E. LonGLEy.
A WELL-GROWN larva of Ecpantheria scribonia was mailed to me from
Charleston, S. C., Oct. 15, 1890, arriving two days later. Fed for two
1891. | -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 77
weeks on cabbage and then refused food, retiring to the top of the cage,
where it remained immovable till Jan. 1, 1891, when it spun a thin cocoon.
Exactly three weeks later, on January 21st, the imago appeared, a beau-
tiful female, measuring four inches. This larva should have hibernated,
‘but perhaps the heat of my room hastened the transformation. Those
who wish this beautiful insect should obtain the larva from friends in the
South, where it is not uncommon, as it is easy to rear, taking kindly to
cabbage, which is readily procured and kept fresh. I, myself, would like
a lot of the larva this Spring; and will give good exchange or pay cash
for same.—R. OTTOLENGUI, 115 Madison Ave., N. Y.
THE recent notes in ENT. NEws concerning insects attracted to electric
light call to mind an observation of my own while in Washington, D. C.,
the past Summer. While looking over the swarms of insects covering
the ground under certain lights, I noticed among them a number of Ca-
rabidz of various species eagerly feasting upon the bodies of the fallen
insects. Whether they were first attracted to the light and then turned
their attention to their easy prey, or whether the abundance of food was
itself the attraction, it would be interesting to determine. In either case
it appears that these voracious creatures have readily adapted themselves
to the improved conditions of modern society, and are glad to utilize
electric lighting to their own advantage... Doubtless the same point has
often been observed by other collectors, but I do not recollect of its
mention in any of the journals I have read.—HERBERT OSBORN.
A Sprwer FIsHERMAN.—On the roth of last May Messrs. Leng, Beuten-
miiller, Thompson and myself were rambling among the innumerable
little hills near Grasmere Station, on Staten Island, and in the late after-
noon came to a small, wood-shaded pond. Several moderately large
spiders were on its surface, a few feet from the shore, and it so happened
that while I was watching one of them, in particular, that rested quietly,
it suddenly made a rapid motion and seized a little silvery fish over an .
inch in length. It held it firmly and remained as stationary as it had been
before the capture. A number of water-beetles (Gyrinide) now came
swimming about the spider, no doubt being anxious to share in the feast,
but they quickly decamped upon the approach of the water-net that cap-
tured the Arachnid. In the fifth volume of the Boston Journal of Natural
History, Dolomedes sexpunctatus is described by Hentz, and the charac-
ters given there agree admirably with the specimen in question. The ac-
count further adds that, ‘‘ This species dwells on ponds, and dives with
great agility, hiding itself under floating leaves or rubbish when pursued.”
These spiders swim, or skate on the surface of the water, by using the
two middle pairs of.legs as oars, while the fore and hind pairs serve as
supports.—WILLIAM T. Davis.
4*
78 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
4a5- Owing to the space taken up by this department the names will not be published’ tn
the future, but sent by mail direct to those sending the specimens for identification. et
Wo. LoweEnsTEIN.—1, Péerostichus Sayi; 2, Chariessa pilosa; 3, El
lychnia corrusca; 4, Batyle suturalis; 5, Podabrus brunnicollis; 6, Po-
dabrus tomentosus; 7, Telephorus lineola; 8, Telephorus pusillus; 9, Is-
chyrus 4-punctatus; 10, Stenosphenus notatus; 11, Elaphidion parallelum;
12, Dorcashema alternatum.
W. M. HiLi.—1, Aphodius inguinatus; 2, Bradycellus rupestris; 4
Agonoderus pallipes; 4, Tenebrionellus tenebrioides; 5, Chrysomela
similis; 6, Stenolophus conjunctus; 7, Melanolestes picipes; 8, Gastroidea
polygoni; 9, Gastroidea cyanea; 10, Chlenius tricolor; 11, Brachyacan-
tha ursina; 12, Agonoderus pallipes.
D. B. YounG.—1, Silvanus imbellus; 3, Corticaria grossa; 4, Ceruchus 7
piceus; 6, Ephistemus apicalis; 7, Tenebrionellus tenebrioides.
F. H. HILLMAN.—13, Plagiodera prasinella; 14, Anthrenus scrophu-
laria,; 15, Pristocelis quadricollis; 16, Phyllotreta albionica; 17, Blap-
stinus pulverulentus; 18, Cicindela repanda; 19, Cicindela oregona; 20,
Systena teniata; 21, Agonoderus lineola; 22, Collops bipunctatus; 23,
Hydrophilus triangularis; 24, Rhantus flavogriseus.
W. C. Woop.—13, Amara chalcea; 14, Amara angustata; 15, Aniso-
dactylus agilis; 16, Amara sp.; 17, Amara avida; 18, Bembidium con-
tractum,; 19, Bembidium affine; 20, Philonthus cyanipennis. —
RALPH Hoppinc.—13, Haltica ignita; 14, Cercyon hemorrhoidale; 16,
_ Podabrus rugulosus; 17, Photinus consanguineus; 18, Podabrus brinni-
collis; 19, Berosus peregrinus,; 21, Staphylinus (damaged); 22, Melanotus
decumanus,; 24, Platydema excavatum.
Entomological Literature. |
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL Society, vol.
xvii, 1890.—New species of American Cynipidz, by H. F. Bassett. Notes .
on some North American Odonata, with descriptions of three new species,
by P. P. Calvert. Notes on the species of Dendroctonus of Boreal E
ica, by Dr. W. G. Dietz. A Synopsis of the Odonat genus ;
Britt., by Dr. H. A. Hagen. The species of Heterocerus of oneal ine
ica; Notes on the species of Ochthebius of Boreal America; Notes on some
Hiydrobiini of Boreal America; A Revision of the Sphzridiini inhabiting
Boreal America; Some notes on Argoschizus; all by G. H. Horn, M.D.
The Phycitidz of North America, by Geo. D. Hulst. New North Amer-
ican Bees of the genera Halictus and Prosopis, by Charles Robertson.
Descriptions of some new species of Agrofis Auct.; A contribution toward
a knowledge of the Mouth-parts of the Diptera, by John B. Smith.
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 79
_. Tue Entomotoseist, March, 1891.—Note on Agrotis subgothica, by J.
Jenner Weir. Life-history of Pachnobia leucographa, by J. Arkle. Con-
tributions to the Chemistry of Insect Colors, by F. H. Perry Coste. On
the occasional abundance: of certain species of Lepidoptera, by Robert
Adkin. Lepidoptera found in Britain and America (List of), by Richard
South. A Preliminary List of the Insect Fauna of Middlesex, by T. D.
A. Cockerell. Entomological notes, captures, etc. Doings of Societies
and Reviews.
BrioLoGia CENTRALI-AMERICANA Part 90, December, 1890.—Arachnida-
Araneidz, by O. P. Cambridge (pp. 65-72). Coleoptera: vol. iv, pt. 2,
by G. C. Chapman (pp. 249-266); vol. iv, pt. 2, by G. C. Champion (pp.
57-80, pl. 3; vol. vi, pt. 1, suppl. by M. Jacoby (pp. 225-232, pl. go. Hy-
menoptera: vol. ii, by P. Cameron (pp. 121-128). Lepidoptera-Rhopalo-
cera: vol. ii, by F. D. Godman and O. Salvin. Lepidoptera-Heterocera,
by H. Druce (pp. 425-440, pl. 34).
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, No. 1, January, 1891.—A new
West African Fulgorid,* by Dr. F. Karsch, fig. A new Stratiomyid,* by
C. Verhoeff. The genera Lasiopsis, Asceptonycha and Lachnota in the
light of the dogma of priority, by L. Brenske. On the difference of colors
in pupz of P. Machaon, by E. Reuter. Ichneumonid studies,* by Dr.
Kriechbaumer. New Sphingidz from Africa,* by Dr. F. Karsch; Rhad-
inopasa n. gen. (a plate to follow). No. 2, January, 1891.—A contribution
to the Coleopterous Fauna of the island of Norderney* and Capsus capit-
laris F., an enemy to Aphide, by C. Verhoeff. On the Odonat genus
Idionyx Selys,* by Dr. F. Karsch.
ENTOMOLOGISK TIDSKRIFT, Arg. 11, Nos. 1, 2. [ln Swedish] Stock-
holm, 1890. Scandinavian Trichoptera zequipalpina, by H. D. J. Wallen-
gren. On Cicadariz, morphological and systematic, by Dr. H. J. Han-
sen, two plates. Contributions to the knowledge of the geographical
extension of the Swedish Macrolepidoptera, by J. Andersson. On Scan-
dinavian species of Trichocera, by S. Lampa, etc.—No. 3, Entomological
communications from Societas Pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, 1884-1889,
by E. Reutter. The Lepidopterous Fauna of St. Hans Haugen, by J. S.
Schneider —No. 4, Scandinavian Microlepidoptera (continued), by H. D.
J. Wallengren. Contributions to the Norwegian Lepidopterous Fauna,
by W. M. Schoyen. A new Dipter,* by O. Bidenkap. Abberrations in
Lepidoptera, by E. Reuter. New Beetles from Africa,* by C. Aurivillius,
etc.—No. 5, Bibliography of Scandinavian Insects, by J. Spangberg.
CompTE-RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Jan. 10, ’gr.
Description of Coleoptera from the interior of China,* by L. Fairmaire;
Toxocerus, Arrephora, Hexatenius, Colpotinus, Hexarhopalus, n. gen.
Phytophaga from Chota Nagpore,* by A. Duvivier; Pseudadimonia n.
gen. Causeries Odonatologiques, No. 3., Mesobasis new subgenus of
Agrionina by E. de Selys-Longchamps.
* Contains new species other than North American.
80 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [April,
BIOLOGISCHES CENTRALBLATT (Erlangen), xi, No. 1, Feb. 1, 1891.—
Parthenogenesis in Ants by artificial temperature. The meaning of the
antenne in Myrmedonia, On the question of the hearing power of Ants;
all by E. Wasman.
CompTE-RENDU. L’ACADEMIE DES SCIENCEs (Paris), Feb, 2, 1891.—
Locusts (Acridium peregrinum Oliv.) in the extreme south of Algeria
and the locust-eating population, by J. Kunckel d’Herculais; refers to the
devastations beginning in December, 18go.
Doings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.—
A meeting was held Feb. 26, 1891, Dr. Horn, director, presiding. Meeting
called to order at 8.15 P.M. Members present: Martindale, Ridings and
Skinner. Associates: Liebeck, Fox, Calvert. Dr. Horn exhibited draw-
ings to illustrate Cryptohypuus, and also some new species intended for
the Transactions. The head in Apicaufa was shown, and also a drawing
of an Elaterid supposed to be a Cryptohypnus. The species was sent to
Dr. Candéze, inquiring as to what he thought its proper position. He was
disposed to put it near Colyméetes. Dr. Horn considered it near Crypto-
hypnus. The characters of the species were discussed and their relations
to allied genera dwelt on. An Z#veodes was shown with curious modifi-
cations of the hind tibiz. Mr. Philip Nell was proposed as an associate
of the Section. HENRY SKINNER. |
Recorder.
Ea ee
OBITUARY.
Epwarp ANpRE, F. E. S.—The French publications announce the
death of this well-known Hymenopterist. His principal work was ‘‘ Spe-
cies des Hymenopteres d’Europe et d’ Algeria,’’ commenced in 1879 and
continued until his death.
The death has been announced of Prof. PH1rLipE Pory, the eminent
Cuban naturalist and director of the Zoological Museum in Havana. He
has done much good work in entomology.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, of Lancaster, Pa., on March roth, aged 79 years. He
was a corresponding member of the Academy of Natural Sciences and
American Entomological Society; also one of the founders of the Linnaean
Society of Lancaster.
Errata to Vol. II, No. 3.
Page 42, line 14 from top, for incurvation of inner eye, read inner eye
margin.
Page 49, line 5 from bottom, for acpitis, vead capitis.
Page 53, for urtioz, vead urtice.
Page 54, line 18 from top, for cervical, read conical.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for March was mailed February 28, 1891.
i
Hea 2
rahe:
nt. News, Vol. II.
+
‘
4
KALLIMA PARALEKTA (Deap-LeaF BuTTERFLY.)
__ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS ~
“PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. I. MAY, 18otr. No. 5.
CONTENTS:
Skinner—Description of Plate V.......... 81 | Skinner—Elementary Entomology...... 89
Ashton—Trap for capturing Coleoptera 82 | Notes and News.......::sssecccsesesessesensseeee QI
Banks—Notes on Spiders........s-21 s+ 84 | Entomological Literature... sees 95
Braun—Lepisesia flavofasciata............. 87. | +. Doimgs:of; Sociéties...... ....atautamsepensnsosss 99
Description of Plate V.
Plate V represents the so called protective mimicry of insects.
The last few years much ink has been spilled in the discussion of
this subject; some writers agreeing that it is undoubtedly protec-
tive mimicry and others only accidental resemblance. Drum-
; mond, jin his work on ‘‘ Tropical Africa,’’ speaks as follows:
| “ Carlyle, in his blackest visions of ‘shams and humbugs’ among
human kind, never saw anything so finished in hypocrisy as the
naturalist now finds in every tropical forest. There are to be seen
creatures—not singly, but in tens of thousands—whose very ap-
pearance, down to the minutest spot and wrinkle, is an affront to
truth; whose every attitude is a pose for a purpose, and whose
whole life is a sustained lie. Before these masterpieces of decep-
tion the most ingenious human impositions are vulgar and trans-
parent. Fraud is not only the great rule of life in a tropical
forest, but the one condition of it.’’
We are indebted for the plate to the kindness of M. J. F.
Sachse, editor of the ‘‘ American Journal of Photography,’’ who
made the original photograph.
.S
———-
82 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ~ - [May,
This species is mentioned by Wallace in his work on the Malay
Archipelago in the following language: ‘‘Its upper surface is of
a rich purple, variously tinged with ash color, and across the
fore wings there is a broad bar of deep orange, so that when on
the wing it is very conspicuous. This species was not uncom-
mon in dry woods and thickets, and I often endeavored to cap-
ture it without success, for, after flying a short distance, it would
enter a bush among dry or dead leaves and however carefully I
crept up to the spot I could never discover it till it would sud-
denly start out again and then disappear in a similar place. At
length I was fortunate enough to see the exact spot where the
_ butterfly settled, and though I lost sight of it for some time, I at
length discovered that it was close before my eyes, but that in its
position of repose it so closely resembled a dead leaf attached to
a twig as almost certainly to deceive the eye, even when gazing
full upon it.’’ I have noticed the following interesting quotation:
‘*J. A. de Mandelsloe, who made a voyage to the East Indies in
1639, tells us that not far from the Fort of Ternate grows a cer-
tain shrub called by the Indians Catopa, from which falls a leaf,
which, by degrees, is supposed to be metamorphosed into a but-
terfly.’’ This was one hundred and ninety years before the
butterfly was described by Horsfield.—Ep.
Ct).
U
A TRAP FOR CAPTURING COLEOPTERA.
By T. B. AsHton, Tonganoxie, Kansas.
A good method of capturing many valuable species of insects,
for the purpose of enriching the cabinet of entomologists, is to
make from builders’ past-board a funnel two feet in diameter and
three feet high, with the apex one and a half inches in diameter.
Eighteen inches from the top of the funnel and one-third of its
circumference in front should be cut out, leaving an opening. A
wire should be fastened around all the rim to keep the funnel in —
proper shape. Two loops should be made in the wire six inches
each side of the centre of the top of the funnel to fasten it in ~
position when in use. The seam in front of the funnel can be
lapped and held together with glue. A coat of glue, or varnish,
should be spread over the inside of the funnel so as to render it
more slippery, to the feet of insects. The funnel may be of any
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 83
diameter and made of tin, or any other suitable material, but
paste-board answers the purpose, and is not expensive.
Procure a two-quart glass fruit-jar with an air-tight top and
fasten in it at the bottom two ounces of Potassium cyanide,
and place plenty of paper packing over it. Add a few drops of
; water to the packing to
, ; moisten the cyanide and
then close the jar till
wanted for use. With
proper care the cyanide
will retain its strength, |
and can be used during
the collecting season.
The next part of the
trap is a lamp that gives
a bright light. A wire
ring should clasp the lamp
below the oil bowl. This
ring should have three
small wires fastened to it,
equal distances apart, and
extending upwards two
feet and twisted together
down to near the chimney
and have a loop on the
upper end to hang the
lamp by when in use.
On a dark, still evening
in the spring-time, when
insects are on the wing,
fasten the funnel to the
side of a building, or some
other suitable object, with
its small end = resting
snugly in the mouth of
the cyanide jar, and then suspend the lighted lamp in the funnel
to shine forth from the front opening and let it remain there for
a few hours, then close the jar till morning, and by the light of
day open and spread its motionless and silent contents on some
white paper, then the entomologist will enjoy a treat such as is
84 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
seldom seen,—his eyes beholding beauties in many forms and
so gaily colored, and then in such numbers, that his mind will be
filled with wonder and delight. There will be many Lepidoptera
and a few Neuroptera that will have all their beauty spoiled by
friction with each other as they mix together in the fumes of the
cyanide. A few Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera will
be found in fair condition to claim attention. There will be Co-
leoptera represented by species in many families; some are large,
others small, and many that are very minute, but all, with a little
brushing, fit for a place and a name in a naturalist’s cabinet.
' For capturing Coleoptera that are attracted by light, I consider
this the best trap that I have ever seen, and, while I claim to be
the inventor of it, I do not intend to get it patented, and I invite
all coleopterists to make use of it and do me the kindness to
report their success or failure to the ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws.
fay
VU
Notes on some Spiders described by Hentz.
By NATHAN Banks, Washington, D. C.
Since Hentz published his papers on the spiders of the United
States quite a number of his species have remained in obscurity.
During the past season I have found a few not hitherto recorded,
and decided that certain known species were synonymous with
some of those described by Hentz. The following notes are on
the above two classes of facts.
MICROGNATHID.
Thalamia parietalis Hentz.
Two specimens of this peculiar and interesting spider were
found in the corners of aroom in Texas. The genus is close to
@cobias, but I can find only two tarsal claws. It may be related
to Omanus.
DRASSID&.
Trachelas tranquilla Hentz.
Clubiona tranquilla Hentz ; Trachelas ruber Keys.
This spider is common through all the United States east of
the Mississippi River, and I have specimens from Texas and
Missouri [S. Van Ingen]. I think that there can be no doubt
that this spider, several, times described under the name of 7.
ruber Keys. is the Clubiona tranquilla Hentz.
¢
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 85
. AGALENIDZ.
Dictyna sublata Hentz.
Theridion sublatum Hentz; Dictyna muraria Em.
I see no reason why this synonymy is not perfectly clear. The
species is found in Mississippi, and specimens vary to resemble
Hentz’s figure. DD. arundinaceoides Keys. is perhaps the same
species. As to Hentz’s other Dictyna I am not sure what they
are; 7. foliaceum is perhaps D. frondeum Em.
THERIDIDZ.
Linyphia conferta Hentz.
Ithaca and Long Island.
Bathyphantes anglicanum Hentz.
Theridion anglicanum Hentz.
Two females and two males of this species were taken in Texas.
The male is red like the female.
EPEIRID&.
Epeira directa Hentz.
Brazos County, Texas. They vary somewhat in markings, a
central light stripe is frequently present on the abdomen and often
- each side of this a row of six black dots. On the venter there
are two dark stripes which unite at the spinnerets and at the lung
slits. It shows some approach to 7etragnatha.
Epeira sanguinalis Hentz.
This very delicate spider was found in the nest of a mud-wasp
in Texas in September. The front legs are very spiny. The
venter is white, except the black epigynum.
Epeira scutulata Hentz.
£. punctillata Keys.
One specimen (%) of this species has been recorded from
Illinois by Keyserling under the name of Epezra punctillata. |
have found an adult @ in July on Long Island, N. Y. It was at
the center of a vertical orb web in an evergreen tree. Young
specimens were found in evergreen trees in December. —
THOMISID.
Runcinia aleatorius Hentz. ;
Thomisus aleatorius Hentz ; Runcinia brendelli Keys.
Hentz described the % of this species, and it seems that some
86 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
arachnologists knew of the identity of the two’ species, yet the
synonymy has not previously been given. Mississippi, Texas,
Iowa.
LycosID&.
Lycosa erratica Hentz.
Tarentula lepida Keys.
This species is quite easily recognized by the form of hate cen-
tral dark stripe on the abdomen.
Aulonia? funerea Hentz.
Lycosa funerea Hentz.
Washington, D. C. Not uncommon. The abdominal mark-
ings do not quite agree with Hentz’s figure, yet the specimens
vary somewhat. Its position in Aulonia is very doubtful. It
may form a new genus. The cephalothorax is full as high be-
tween the second and third pairs of legs as in the eye region.
Dolomedes urinator Hentz.
D. lanceolatus Hentz is the $ of this species.
Dolomedes scriptus Hentz.
D. scapularis Koch. ?
What has been taken as D. tenebrosus Hentz is this species.
What I feel sure is D. scriptus H. has the epigynum as figured ©
by Emerton for D. tenebrosus and very similar to that of D.
scapularis as figured by Keyserling. JD. tenebrosus H. has a
much broader epigynum and a broad septum, which does not,
however, cover the cavity. It is also quite different in markings.
Oxyopes salticus Hentz.
O. astutus Hentz is the 8 of this species.
ATTIDA.
Dendryphantes retarius Hentz.
Attus retarius Hentz 2; Plexippus puerperus Peck, not Hentz.
From D. C. southward to Texas. Peckham has wrongly de-
termined this species. I see no reason why it is not a good Den-
dryphantes. Attus syluanus Hentz is probably the $ , as Peck-
ham states, yet it may be another species.
Dendryphantes nubilus Hentz.
Attus nubilus Hentz.
This is perfectly distinct from D. capitatus. It is very variable
in markings, some almost white; a small darker specimen may be
distinct. Mississippi and Texas.
ss
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 87
| Dendryphantes octavus Hentz.
Attus octavus Hentz.
Dendryphantes capitatus (Hentz) Peck, not Hentz.
Altus parvus (Hentz) Peck, not Hentz; Attus estivalis Peck.
The common spider described and figured by Hentz as A/tus
octavus is certainly not an Zris, and I have no doubt but that it
is what has been described by Peckham as Aétus capitatus, of
which he makes A/tus parvus the female. The latter is either an
Eris or Zygoballus, probably the latter, and may even be Z.
bettinit Peck. I see no reason for considering Aéffus capitatus
Hentz as the male of what Peckham describes as such, the mark-
ings of the cephalothorax are certainly different, and the differ-
ence in size is enormous. Moreover, Hentz did not give Aftus
parvus as common, while he does state so of A/tus octavus.
Nearly all the specimens of this species which I have seen from
the South appear as Hentz figures Aftus octavus.
ra’
Vv
NOTES ON THE EARLIER STAGES OF LEPISESIA
FLAVOFASCIATA Barnst.
By Cart Braun, Bangor, Me.
On Memorial Day 1888, at 4 P.M., when returning from a bog
five miles distant from this city, where I had spent the day col-
lecting Chionobas jutta and other rare lepidoptera, by the edge
of a clump of woods near home, my attention was called to a
bumble-bee-like creature which was fluttering among the violets
just in blossom in order to obtain some honey as I thought. Its
flight seemed to me peculiar, and by observing it closer I saw at
once that it was not a large bee, but a small M/acroglossa. Hav-
ing my net at hand I caught it at once, and found, after bottling
it, that it was a L. flavofasciata, which species I had often before
admired in the collection of Prof. C. H. Fernald, then at the
State College in Orono, Me. After the Insect had become
quieted I took it from the bottle immediately and examining it
closer found that it was a ?. In the hope of obtaining ova from
this exceedingly rare and desirable species, I quickly put it into
a small paper-box with perforated bottom and glass top. These
boxes I always carry with me on my collecting trips to keep fe-
males from which I desire to obtain ova. I carried the box care-
88 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
fully in my hand, and after a few minutes, to my great delight, |
it came to life again. When arriving at my home I put it into a
larger paper box with gauze top fitted up for the purpose for
females to lay their ova in. I at once procured a few fresh leaves
of wild honeysuckle which, I believed at the time, to be the
food-plant of this species, and coated several of them thinly with
maple honey. I have always obtained from females of Sphingidz
in this manner more ova than without the food-plant. I change
the leaves twice a day and keep the boxes in my breeding-house
ina cool place. I have often watched Sphinx kalmie and dru-
piferarum when ina starving condition putting the proboscis out
and sucking the honey from these coated leaves. This of course
sustains life and helps them to lay all the eggs. On the other —
hand if not fed, fresh females of the flower-visiting Sphinges will
in most every case, die of starvation before they have laid half
their eggs. By examining the ovary after death I have generally
found this to be the case. This by way of explanation. But to
return to my Q Lep. flavofasciata, | watched it closely for two
days, examining the box most every hour, without finding any
ova. I had almost given up hope of obtaining any; yet, to
my great delight_on Saturday morning, June 2d, I found four
small grass-green globular eggs, two of which were attached to
the bottom of the box and two glued to the stem of a leaf. I
changed the leaves, putting the eggs carefully back into the box.
That afternoon I found ten more eggs and next day twenty-two
more. June 4th I counted fifty-seven ova. On the morning of
June 5th I found the @ dead and no more eggs. I believed she
had laid them all, and of course must have deposited ova before
I had captured her; this latter proved to be a fact. The young
larvee hatched after five to six days; they would not eat the honey-
suckle and I greatly feared losing them. In my anxiety I
went to the place where I had taken the 9 and found among
other plants a species of Epilodium, and by cleansing the leaves
I found to my great astonishment attached to the underside of
one leaf two eggs of this same species. The female was evidently
depositing eggs at the time I caught her; I had found the food-
plant without doubt, as the starving larve readily took to it and
seemingly devoured with great appetite their well-known food.
I am also quite sure I would have lost the young larve but for
the honey on the leaves of the honeysuckle, which kept them —
——a- - Ss
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL’ NEWS. 89
alive. Here and there they had nipped a leaf on the edges and
the light honey coating had disappeared. Of all the fifty-seven
_ larvee I only succeeded in bringing out nine to the pupal state,
and the next season only five, three females and two males to the
imago state, large full grown imagos, of which two pairs are in
my collection. The imago of this insect has been described by
Barnst, but the earlier stages according to Prof. Smith’s book on
the Sphingidz are still unknown,
I have not much time for this work, and I had almost my mind
made up to turn over my numerous notes on original work to
somebody better fitted to the task, yet I will try to do the best I
can if the editor of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws will allow me the
space. The eggs, the four larval stages and the pupe I will de-
scribe next month. I have given this introduction, as, I believe,
it will be of interest to many of the readers. Next I shall attempt
to describe the earlier stages of Platarctia parthenos and Smer-
inthus cerisyz, of which species I raise some every year. I have
the eggs, the larve in all the stages in alcohol, and inflated, of
these species.
la’
Vv
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Butterflies and moths, or LEPIDOPTERA (from the Greek, lepis
a scale, and p/eron wing), comprises those insects characterized
by cylindrical, compact bodies, small head, mouth parts (in most
species) developed for sucking, maxille prolonged into a tongue,
mandibles obsolete, wings covered with minute scales, transfor-
mations complete. The word butterfly comes from the Anglo-
saxon buttor-fleoge, or the resemblance of some common species
(Colias) to butter in color. In German they are called schmet-
terlinge, from schmetten, cream. Molken-dieb (the whey-thief )
is another name. The association with milk in its three forms—
butter, cream and whey, is remarkable.
The order LEPIDOPTERA is separated into two grand divisions:
RHOPALOCERA (from two Greek words, meaning knob and horn),
butterflies or diurnals, and HETEROCERA (variable and horn),
moths or nocturnals. The butterflies are thus separated from the
moths by the structure of the antennz or feelers. In the former
re) ENTOMOOLGICAL NEWS. [May,
being thread-like, with a little swelling or knob on the end, and
in the moths a great variety of shapes other than this. In the
Heterocera, or moths, they are filiform (thread-like), setiform
(like a bristle), fusiform (tapering at each end), serrate (saw-like),
pectinate (comb-like), filiciform (fern-like) and plumose (feather- — |
like). There was formerly used another division of the moths
called Crepuscular (from creper dark, dusky), or those that fly
at dusk and in the early morning. The butterflies are further
distinguished from the moths by their relatively smaller bodies in
comparison to expanse of wings, less hairy character of thorax
and abdomen, and when in repose they carry the wings erect ; the
chrysalids are naked and not buried in the earth, and the spiral
tongue or haustellum, is long and well developed. Rhopalocera
(butterflies, diurnals) are found all over the world from the frozen
shores of the Arctic Ocean to the hot plains of Equatoria. They
are always more abundant in the vicinity of water, and are always
a welcome sight to the thirsty traveller.
Linnaeus included all butterflies in the genus Pafzlio. He was
acquainted with about 760 species of moths and butterflies; they
are now divided into well-defined families and numerous genera —
and species.
The food of butterflies consists principally of the sweet liquids
drawn from flowers, which they reach by means of their long
tongues.
The name butterfly suggests balmy Summer days, bright sun-
shine and green foliage. ‘‘ On the side of a mountain as the sun
was setting, throwing different portions into the shadow from the
base to the top, the writer has seen the butterflies fly from cluster
to cluster of flowers up the acclivity, going just fast enough to
keep in the sunshine.’’* While this is true of butterflies as a
whole, there are numerous exceptions. Some of the Satyridz
only fly in the densest woods, and others only at dawn and dusk
of evening. ‘‘In Continental India, at Sangor, Capt. de la
Chaumette describes Ve/anitis leda and an allied species as flying
at sunset under the Neem trees, resting for a long time motionless
on the ground and will not move until you almost — upon
them.’
The species belonging to the MorPHtna have similar habits.
Some of the Indian species remain motionless in repose all day,
* Prof. G. H. French, in “ Butterflies of Eastern United States.”
[1891. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. gI
but when the sun is about to set they are to be seen everywhere,
and are sometimes mistaken for bats. Every species has its own
peculiar habits as to flight, time of appearance, method of egg
deposition, etc. Some kinds wander from place to place and
flower to flower, and others live their whole life in a very limited
area. Butterflies often migrate in such numbers as to even ob-
secure the sun. These congregations are usually made up of a
single species. ‘‘A migration of butterflies was observed in
Switzerland on the roth of June, 1828: Madame de Meuron Wolff
and her family established during the Summer in the district of
Grandson, Canton de Vaud, perceived with surprise an immense
flight of butterflies traversing the garden with great rapidity.
They were all the species called Belle Dame by the French, and
by the English, Painted Lady ( Vanessa cardui). They were all
flying close together in the same direction, from South to North,
and were so little afraid when one approached that they turned
not to the right or left. The flight continued for two hours without
interruption, and the column was about ten or fifteen feet broad.’”
Mr. Charles J. Anderson encountered in Southwestern Africa,
for two consecutive days, such immense myriads of lemon-colored
butterflies, that the sound caused by their wings was such as to
resemble ‘‘the distant murmuring of waves on the sea-shore.’’
They always passed in the same direction as the wind blew, and,
as numbers were constantly alighting on the flowers, their ap-
pearance at such times was not unlike ‘‘the falling of leaves
before a gentle autumnal breeze.’’ Moufet says: ‘‘ Wert thou
as strong as Milo or Hercules, and wert fenced or guarded about
with an host of giants for force and valor, remember that such
an army was put to the worst by an army of butterflies flying in
troops in the air in the year 1104, and they hid the light of the
sun like a cloud.’’—Ep.
(To be continued.)
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL pen iEs
OF THE GLOBE.
{The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers. ]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
It sEEmMs foolish for a man to enter into an argument with a wasp. A
wasp always carries his point.— Yonkers Statesman.
92 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
WE have received a photograph of the rare moth Erebus zenobia caught —
in a woods near Tiffin, Ohio, October 20, 1890, at 10 P.M. It was taken
at sugar by Mr. Lewis Ullrich. Mr. Ullrich says in regard to his capture :
‘T collected in this woods about three nights every week after July 1o,
1890, in the same place where this was caught, but did not see this Oe
cies until the night mentioned above.””—Ep.
I HAVE received through the kindness of Mr. J. T. Mason, of Houston,
Tex., a moth probably not before recorded as belonging to our fauna.
We are indebted to the industry of Mr. Mason for being able to add such
a fine species to our lists. The only reference I can find to the species is
in Vol. I. of Hiibner’s ‘‘ Exotische Schmetterlinge,” where it is beauti-
fully figured under the name of Diphthera Sestiva elegans. Both the
upper and undersides and both sexes are given. This is probably the
moth Mr. Mason refers to in his note in Ent. News, Vol. ons p. 76, under
the name of Euglyphia haroglyphisa.—Ep.
FASHION’S NEW Fap.—Not content with her slaughter of the innocents
in the matter of birds, Dame Fashion has extended her murderous designs
to moths and butterflies. The gorgeous hues of the wings of some of
these are deemed effective for dress decorations, and we are told that in
Paris exquisite gauze ball toilets are ‘‘ appropriately and fancifully strewn
with natural butterflies.” Fanciful, it is granted, but never appropriate. —
Butterflies appear also on fans, but here only the wings are used, with the
body, antenne and legs sketched in afterward by an artist. Beautiful
effects are produced, it is said, by painting bunches of flowers on which
the insects seem to hover. When it is reflected that a single gauze fan
of the size now in vogue may hold a dozen or more butterflies or moths, —
it is easy to estimate in what enormous quantities these creatures must
be taken to satisfy even a small demand. Truly a fashionable toilet is
becoming a composite thing, with dead birds and butterflies, hair from
Indian beggars, and Mexican bugs as jewelry, held by golden chains.
ANTs AS SURGEONS.—Ants are terrible fighters. They have very pow-
erful jaws, considering the size of their bodies, and, therefore, their method —
of fighting is by biting. They will bite one another, and hold on with a
wonderful grip of the jaws, even after their legs have been bitten off by
other ants. Sometimes six or eight ants will be clinging with a death
grip to another, making a peculiar spectacle, some with a leg gone, and
some with half the body gone. One singular fact is that the grip of an
ant’s jaw is retained even after the body has been bitten off and nothing
but the head remains. This knowledge is possessed by a certain tribe of
Indians in Brazil, who put the ants to a very peculiar use. When an
Indian gets a gash cut in his hand, instead of having his hand sewed —
together, as physicians do in this country, he procures five or six large,
black ants, and holding their heads near the gash, they bring their jaws
together in biting the flesh, and thus pull the two sides of the gash to-
gether. Then the Indian pinches off the bodies of the ants and leaves —
Ee
St hee ee ee
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 93
their heads clinging to the gash, which is held together until we gash is
* perfectly healed.
Mimicry of Danais archippus presented itself very strikingly early in
September, 1889, while looking for Ca¢oca/a in wood lot well cleared of
undergrowth. It was in Astoria, Long Island, late in the afternoon when
about to return home that I noticed many Danaidz flying singly and ina
restive way toward a circular clearing on edge of woods, and would. in-
variably disappear in the foliage as I supposed it to be. I lingered there
for half an hour and observed their coming in from meadows adjoining,
and wondered why they were flying so high when they reached the timber
line, and many passing out of sight at a particular spot of that circular
clearing. I stationed myself closer and almost under overhanging
branches of a Swamp Maple (Acer rubrum), on which I noticed an ap-
parently dead or dying branch, having the red leaves of Autumn foliage
thereon. It contrasted strangely with the verdure of other branches and
trees of vicinity. I have seen such branches in August destroyed by the
agency of Locusts (Cicada septemdecim) and much resembling that in
question. Presently I observed a Danaid circling overhead for a few
minutes, flying towards this branch and alighting on uzderside of one of
its branchlets, then dropping and folding up its wings hurriedly. One
more leaf had now been added, and the mimicry revealed to my senses.
It was as perfect as it could be. Every Danaid hung or rested there limp
and lifeless as it were, and not in the least disturbed by the jarring occa-
sioned by subsequent arrivals of others. The lowest part of this dead
limb, which it was, because devoid of any leaf, was twelve feet above
ground, so that I could not reach it with my net. I calculated that from
- six to eight dozen Danaids were thereon. I tossed the net upward,
shaking the limb when it came in contact with it, and the air seemed to
be brilliant with fulvous tints of terrified butterflies. I subsequently re-
visited the spot twice during the following week, but failed to observe
Danaids in same locality or tree.—RICHARD E. Kunze, M.D., New York.
Notes oN Mr. Desert Draconr.ies.—The following species of
Odonata were taken during the Summer of 1890 on the island of Mt.
Desert, Maine, and within a few miles of the village of Bar Harbor.
I am indebted to Mr. Philip P. Calvert, of Philadelphia, who has kindly
identified the specimens for me. The notes on the colors of the eyes
were made while the specimens were fresh and not yet faded.
: AGRIONIN&,
Argia violacea Hag.—July ist, ¢.
Ischnura verticalis Say.—Orange variety. June 25th, 1 2; eyes brown
above.
Enallagma Hageni Walsh.—July rst, 1 <3.
AESCHNIN2.
Neureschna vinosa Say. apy 25th, 1 ¢’; eyes greenish, becoming
brown above.
94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ‘[May,
CORDULIN#.
Cordulia semiaguea Burm.—July, ¢' and 2; eyes brown.
LIBELLULIN2.
Libellula quadrimaculata .—June 28th, Id; eyes brown above,
greenish bloew.
Celithemis elisa Hag. Be 28th, July roth; several males. and females;
eyes chocolate-brown above. J
Nannothemis bella Uhler.—July 1st, four females; eyes above brown,
below gray, with a brown stripe down the centre. —Davip JAYNE BUuLLock,
Philadelphia, Pa.°
NOTES ON THE LARVA OF Catfoca/a habilis.—Last summer while search-
ing for Agrotis under the loose bark of the hickory I was surprised to’
find many larvee of the above named species. They are not gregarious,
as I afterwards learned, while feeding them in confinement, but are emi-
nently nocturnal and only feed by,night and would naturally seek the shade
and protection of the loose bark during the day. Every strip of bark
sheltered more or less of them. They were made up of two broods.
The larger ones were nearly full grown, while the smaller ones had hardly —
got through the second moult. The larve of this species are so discom-
moded by light that they seek the darkest corners of the rearing cage during
the day, and at night if a strong light is brought to bear upon the bush —
while they are feeding, they will immediately stop and will not go on with
the repast until it is removed. I donot know whether the larve of this
‘species has been written up or not. I believe little is known about a
majority of the larve of this genus, but venture to say this one resembles
the larva of C. Ultronia in form, but is somewhat smaller and dark iron-—
gray variegated with small white spots. The last pair of pro-legs are very
much spread or technically speaking, divaricate. When about to trans-
form to pupa they leave the bush and form a cocoon an inch oraninch ~
and a half below the surface of the ground. In this respect they differ
from others of the genus. The early brood came out winged flies the
15th of July and the others a month later.—R. BUNKER, Rochester, N. Y.
4,
On Saturday, April 5th, Mr. Wm. J. Fox, of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia, and Mr. Charles W. Johnson, of the Wagner
Institute of Philadelphia, sailed for Jamaica. They go solely fer the pur-
pose of studying and collecting the insect fauna of that island. They
expect to be gone from six weeks to two months.—Ep.
THE LARV& of Telea polyphemus generally are not found in any great
number on one and the same food-plants. Late in August, or early in
September, 1887, I took from three White Birches, none over fifteen feet
high and growing so close together that branches interjoined, fifty-six of
these larvze, about half of full grown size. A number of other adult larvae
of same were collected from Betula alba, near by, on the bank of Harlem
River, city of New York.—RicHarp E. Kunze, M.D., New York. .
- ia
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 95
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers. »
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tiqn and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Insects have been named for E. Wilkinson, C. W. Chamberlain, Daniel
G. Cox, W. E. Longley, B. F. Goss.
+
Entomological Literature.
- GARDEN AND Forest, vol. iv, No. 158, p. 99.—An insect pest of Cat-
tleyas (Jsosoma archidearum). A fig. of the insect with larva and pupa.
THE ENTOMOLOGIsT’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE, March, 1891.—A fortnight
in Algeria, with descriptions of new Lepidoptera (concluded), by E. Mey-
rick. Holiday captures of Lepidoptera in Switzerland in 1886, by G. T.
Baker. Notes on some British and Exotic Coccidz (No. 19), by J. W.
Douglas. On the new Australian Vine Pest, by Dr. E. Bergroth. On
two new species of Heteromera from Japan, by George Lewis. Cryfio-
hypnus dermestoides and its allies, by Geo. H. Horn, M.D. Description -
of the larva of Aypena rostralis, by S. T. Porritt. Sphinx pinastri as a
British insect, Eds. Plusia moneta F. in France, Id. Acidalia immorta,
by Rev. J. Greene. Coleoptera and Lepidoptera at Bundoran Island, by
Rev. W. F. Johnson. Aydroporus sepientrionalis and other Coleoptera
in the Plymouth District, by James H. Keys. A query as to the food of
certain Dipterous larve in nests of Vespidz, by R. Newstead. Scarcity
of Aculeate Hymenoptera in South Devon, by G: A. J. Rothney. Acu-
leate Hymenoptera in Wiltshire, 1890, by R. C. L. Perkins.—April, 1891.
—Annotated List of the British Tachiniidz (continued), by R. H. Meade.
Notes on some British and Exotic Coccidz (No. 20), by J. W. Douglas.
Micropteryx sangti, a new species from birch, by J. H. Wood. On the
erroneous inclusion of Ca/optria (Grapholitha) decolorana Fr. in the
British fauna, by C. G. Barrett. Pempelia adelphellaid. Description of
a new species of Azaspis from Scotland, with remarks, by G. C. Cham-
pion. On two new species of Mexican Histeridz, by G. Lewis. Wiener
Entomologischen Verein, Eds. A means of preserving collections in dry,
hot countries, id. Newspaper entomology. Coleoptera at Church Stret-
ton, by W. G. Blatch. Odonteus mobilicornis at Wellington College, by
E. F. Elton. On the occasional development of wings in species of
Hemiptera, usually Micropterous or Apterous, by J. W. Douglas. Hepi
alus velleda in abundance in Somerset, by C. G. Barrett. Hesperia
lineola in Somerset, id. A black variety of Phigalia pilosaria at Gains-
borough, by Rev. Canon Fowler. Note concerning Pseudomacromia
elegans and pretiosa Karsch., by R. McLachlan. <Axnthophora pilipes at
96 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. . [May,
Ilfracombe, by E. Saunders. Note on some Irish Trichoptera, by’J. J. F.
X. King. .
LEepIpopTERA INpIcA. By F. Moore.—We have seen the first five parts
of this grand work, and the first thing noticed was that the names of the —
species figured were not on the plate, but were referred to the text by
numbers. This impairs the value of the work very mach, and is an end-
less nuisance to the working lepidoptertst. This great fault also occurred
in Rhopalocera Malayana. We can’t understand why practical entomolo- |
gists, who get out works, make this mistake. To see how this should be
done we refer to the “ Biologia Centrali-Americana”’ and the works of
Staudinger, Romanoff, Saalmiiller, etc. Thus far forty fine colored plates
have been published illustrating the subfamily Euplceinz, in which the :
author includes the old genera Hestia, Danais, Euplea, divided into a
great many new ones. This will be an exceedingly valuable work to
those seeking an aid to identification.
OREGON AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bulletin No. Bae :
periments with the Codling Moth and with a combined Fungicide and
Insecticide. The Hop Louse; Life-history, Prevention, Remedies, etc., by
F. L. Washburn, entomologist.
eee _—
DELAWARE COLLEGE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bulletin
No. 12.—Injurious insects and insecticides. The following insects are
considered: Black Peach Aphis, Spring Canker Worm, Rose Chafer, ”
Harlequin Cabbage Bug, Cut Worms, Angoumois Moth, Flea Beetles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON,
vol. ii, No. 1.—List of members. Nathan Banks: On Thalamia parie-
talis Hentz. Otto Heidemann: Note on the occurrence of a rare Capsid
near Washington, D. C. L. O. Howard: The habits of Zuryfoma, a new
remarkable genus of Encyrtine ; The habits of Pachyneuron; The para-
sites of the Hemerobiine. C. L. Marlatt: The Xanthium trypeata, Try-
peata equalis Lw.; Observations on the habits of Vespa; Notes on the
genus Jetopius, with description of a new species and table of species;
The final moulting of Tenthredinid larve. Geo. Marx: A contribution
to the knowledge of North American spiders; On the effect of poison of
Lathrodectus mactans Walck. upon warm-blooded animals. C. V. Riley:
Notes on the larva of Platypsyllus; On the difficulty of dealing with
Lachnosterna; A viviparous cockroach; On the time of transformation
in the genus Lachnosterna. E. A. Schwarz: Annual address of the
president, North American publications on entomology; A list of the
blind, or nearly eyeless Coleoptera hitherto found in North America;
Labeling specimens; Note on the food-habits of Xyleborus tachygraphus
and X. dispar; Coleoptera on the Black Locust; Notes on the breeding
habits of some Scolytids; Contribution to the life-history of Corthylus
punctatissimus and description of C. spinifer n. sp.; Feeding habit of a
species of Empide. C. H. Townsend: Hemiptera collected in southern
Michigan; The North American genera of Calyptrate Muscidze; Note on ~
a te ee
eT ee
1891. ] ; ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 97
the genera 7ripiotricha Lw. and Agnotomyia Will.; Notes on the North
American Tachinide sens. lat. with descriptions of new species. P. R.
Uhler: Observations on some remarkable forms of Capsidze. .
Tue TERTIARY INSECTS OF NortH AMERICA by Samuel H. Scudder,
being vol. xiii, Hayden U. S. Geological Survey of the Territories; 663
pages, 28 plates, with many figures. Mr. Scudder states that this grand
work was commenced more than a dozen years. ago. The Myriapoda
and Arachnides are treated of in conjunction with the various orders of
insects. Such works as this mark eras in the studies of which they treat.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, No. 3, February, 1891.—Mis-
cellanea Coleopterologica, by C. Schaufuss; Chevrolatia Grouvellet,
Mexico, n. sp: Tryphonid studies,* by Dr. Kriechbaumer.—No. 4, Feb-
ruary, 1891.—On the life-history of Theridium sisyphium Clerk., and on
Hemiteles sisyphii n. sp.* BQ, by C. Verhoeff. Rhizotrogus limbati-
pennis Villa, an attempt to distinguish this species,* by E. Brenske. The
Libellulid genera Orthetrum Newm. (Libe//a Brauer) and Thermorthemts
Kirby,* by Dr. F. Karsch.
Le NATURALISTE CANADIEN, February, 1891.—Entomological Notes:
Descriptions of new species, by J. Hausen; on Coleoptera, Pterostichus
_ (Dysidius) pulvinatus,’sp. nov., northern Vermont.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, Feb. 16, 1891.—Note on the musculature of
the halteres, by R. v. Lendeofeld.
NoTES FROM THE LEYDEN MusEvM, xii, No. 3, July, 1890.—Note on
-Tyana superba Moore, by P. C. T. Snellen. On Cyriocrates zonotor
Thoms., by C. Ritsema. Descriptions of new Coleoptera of the family
Eumolpide,* by E. Lefevre. Description of a new species of the genus
Ectatorhinus (Coleoptera: fam. Curculionidze*), by W. Roelofs.
Compre RENbDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Feb. 7,
1891.—Descriptions of new Hesperide, 1st part, by P. Mabille; contains
a large number of new species from all parts of the world, including Leu-
cochitonea fuscescens, Honduras, Antigonus cupreiceps, Honduras, Achly-
odes halidus, Merida, Narga scopas, id., Butleria polydesma, id., B. guad-
ristriga, id., Cecropterus Dhega, Jalapa, Proteides hondurensis Honduras,
P. midia Merida, from North America, and the following new genera:
Sape, Hypoleucis, Narga, Eretis, Toxidia. Descriptions of Coleoptera
from the mountains of Kashmir,* by L. Fairmaire; Blapidurus, Botiras,
in. gen.
‘Le NATURALISTE (Paris), 1 Mars, 1891.—The Acarinz of plants, their
anatomie, Menegaux. Diagnosis of a new Lepidopter,* P. Dognin.
' DiE VERWANDSCHAFT ZWISCHEN DER NOCTUIDEN-FAUNA VON NorD
AMERIKA UND Europa [von] Herr Aug. R. Grote (extract from ‘ Ver-
handlungen der Gesellschaft Deutscher Naturforscher und Arzte,’’ Bremen,
1890), 7 pages.
* Contains new species other than North American.
5*
98 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, No. 5, March, 1891.—Review
of the Odonata collected by Dr. Paul Preuss in German West Africa in
1890,* Dr. F. Karsch; Mesocnemis, Hadrothemis, Archiclops, n. gen.
BIOLOGISCHES CENTRALBLATT, xi, No. 3, Mar. 1891.—From insect life,
Maria Grafin Linden; on some larve of Phryganea striata,
Le NATURALISTE CANADIEN, March, 189r.—Entomoiogical notes, J.
Hausen; P/atynus ( Anchomenus) testaceonotus n. sp., Ste. Rose, Quebec.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE, xv, No. 7, July,
1890.—Note on the parasitic fly of the potherbs of the genus Allium, X.
Raspail; Musca alliorum = brassicaria L?
Le NATURALISTE (Paris), Mar. 15, 1891.—Diagnoses so new microle-
pidoptera,* P. Chretien.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE D’ETUDES SCIENTIFIQUES p’ ANGERS, Nou-
velle Serie, xix annee, 1889; Angers, 1890.—Catalogue of the Coleoptera
of Maine-et-Loire, part 3, J. Gallois.
MEMOIRES DE LA SOCIETE DES SCIENCES NATURELLES ET ARCHEO-
LOGIQUES DE LA CREUSE, vi, Gueret, 1890.—[Habits of ] the Psyllidz, E.
Pissot.
ASSOCIATION FRANCAISE POUR L’AVANCEMENT DES SCIENCES, 18me
Session; 2d part, Notes and memoirs, Paris, 1890.—Fossil insects of Aix,
H. Nicolas. Hymenoptera of the south of France—the genus Ossia,
H. Nicolas. On the distribution of the organs of taste in insects, A. S.
Packard.
SOCIETE LINNEENNE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE, No. 213, March, 1890.
—Observations on the parasites of Lifaris salicis Dup., L. Carpentier.
No. 215, May, 1890.—Materials for the catalogue of Orthoptera of the
Somme, M. Dubois.
L’ ENTOMOLOGISTE GENEVOIS, Ire Annee; 11e and 12e livraisons, Dec.
15, 1890.—Monographic essay of the European species and those of neigh-.
boring countries of Phalacride. Enumeration of the European and Cir-
cumeuropean species of Hydronomide.* Studies on some Pompilidze
of Europe and neighboring countries. New Hymenoptera.* Materials
for the Swiss Dipterous Fauna; all by H. Tournier.
Hor# SOCIETATIS ENTOMOLOGIC2 Rossic#, t. xxiv, St. Petersburg,
1890.—Insects lately collected by G. N. Potanin in China and Mongolia:
VII. Buprestidz, Gidemeridz, Cerambycidz,* L. Gangelbauer; Gauro-
tina, Ischnorrhabda, Morimospasma, n. gen. X. Coleoptera (Neodor-
cadion and Compsodorcadion)* and XI. Cymindis, Pseudopelia, Lethrus,*
B. E. Jakowleff. XIV. Hymenoptera Aculeata,* Dr. F. Morawitz. XV.
Curculionide,* J. Faust; Lechrioderus, Rhinodontus, Derelobus, n. gen.
XVI. Chrysomelidz and Coccinellide (appendix),* J. Weise; Pho/a n.
gen. XVII. Hemiptera-Heteroptera,* B. E. Jakowleff.—Insects lately
collected in Central Asia on the journey of N. Przewalski. XVI. He-
* Contains new species other than North American.
i
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 99
miptera-Heteroptera,* B. E. Jakowleff. XVII. Formicidze from Thibet,*
G. Mayr. Turanian Cicindelids, A. Wilkins, 2 plates. Aralo-Caspian
Coleopterous Fauna. XIII. Meloidz and Cantharidez,* W. Dokhtouroff,
1 plate. Diagnoses of new Coleoptera from central and eastern Asia,*
A. Semenow, nine new genera. New and known Histeridze from Euro-
pean and Asiatic Russia, J. Schmidt; Dendrophilopsis n. gen. Some
words on Gychrus from the Caucasus, A. Starck. Hymenoptera of
Korea,* C. Radoszkowski. Proposal of a new method of preserving
collections of insects against the attacks of their enemies, A. Wilkins.
Addition to my works on the genus Aricia s. lat , J. Schnabl. Contribu-
tion to the knowledge of the genus Psa/idium Illig.,* J. Faust. On the
Hemipterous Fauna of Russia and the surrounding countries,* B. E.
Jakowleff; Periphima, Mimudla, n. gen. On the biology and systematic
position of the genus Chermes \.., N. Cholodkowsky, figs. Essential
characters of some genera and subgenera of Anthomyide, J. Schnabl.
Hymenoptera collected on Mt. Ararat,* Gen. C. Radoszkowski, figs. On
the Thelyphonidz in the collections of some Russian museums, J. Tarnani,
1 plate. Notice on Lefhrus Scop.,* B. E. Jakowleff; Abdbrognathus,
Fleteroplistodus, n. gen. New Trans-Caspian Fossorial Hymenoptera,*
Dr. F. Morawitz.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE IMPERIALE DES NATURALISTES DE Moscow,
1890, No. 2. [On Rhopalocera], 1 plate. Zomicus Judeichii Kirsch, T.
Teplouchow.
TRAVAUX DE LA SOCIETE DES NATURALISTES A L’UNIVERSITE IMPE-
RIALE DE KHARKOW, t. xxiii, 1890 (in Russian).—Notes on the histological
structure of the digestive apparatus of the Myriapoda, N. Bielooussow.
Description of some species of the genus Rhyssa Grh. of the fauna of the
government of Kharkow, W. A. Jarochewsky.
VERHANDLUNGEN K. K. ZOOL.-BOT. GESELLSCHAFT IN WIEN, xl. Bd.,
III. Quart, 1890.—On the stronghold of Hypoderma lineata Villers from
[the researches of ] Dr. Adam Handlirsch, and other researches and ob-
servations on CEstride, Dr. F. Brauer, figs. Cecidomyia pseudococcus
Thomas, E. H. Rubsaamen. Larva and manner of living of C. pseudo-
coccus n. sp., Dr. F. Thomas.—IV. Quart, 1890.—Identification table of
the Heteroceri (Coleoptera) of Europe and the neighboring districts as
far as known,* A. Kuwert, figs.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xviii, No. 6, March, 1891.—Diptera
collected on the island of Zante by Dr. O. Schmiedeknecht, V. v. Roder.
New Chilian species of Vespidz,* A. Schletterer.
Doings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.— '
A regular stated meeting was held March 26, 1891, Dr. Horn, Director,
in the chair. Members present : Matindale, Laurent, Welles and Skinner.
* Contains new species other than North American.
100 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ May,
Associates : Fox, Calvert, Liebeck, Dr. Castle. Visitors: Mr. Nell and
Mr. Boerner. The following papers were presented for publication in the
Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.: Notes on some Noctuide, with descriptions of
new genera and species, by John B. Smith. On the species of 77ypoxy-
Jon, inhabiting America, North of Mexico, by Wm. J. Fox. Catalogue
of the described species of South American Asi/ide, by S. W. Williston.
A revision of the species of Euclea, Parasa and Packardia, with notes
on Monoleuca and Varina ornata Neum., by H. G. Dyar. Dr. Horn
spoke of the importance of those members interested in Coleoptera, col-
lecting Agrilus. He had noticed that those inhabiting the United States
North of Mexico formed a group peculiar to themselves. There appears
to be a series of species in each group, that are parallel to series of other
groups. Mr. Martindale mentioned the emergence from the chrysalis of
a specimen of Papilio asterias. Mr. Welles had found a specimen of
Scoliopteryx libatrix on the 24th of the month ; he did not know whether
it hibernated or not. Dr. Horn placed on record the finding of Bem-
bidium lampros Herbst. at Cambridge, Mass., and in Michigan by Mr.
Schwarz, and at Ottawa, Canada, by Mr. Harrington. The determina-
tions were made by Mr. H. W. Bates, to whom specimens were sent.
Mr. Calvert presented a blue-print copy of a manuscript Check-List of
the Odonata of North America (including Central America and the West
Indies), which he had compiled for private use. He stated that according
to this list the number of genera and species in the United States was 56
and 240 respectively; that of these there were either in the collection of
the Am. Ent. Soc., or in his own collection, American specimens of 53
genera and 159 species, and that two of the remaining genera were
represented by European specimens. In but one of the subfamilies
were there less than 65 per cent. of the species represented, and that
was the Gomphina, where, out of fifty species, but 16 were represented.
The above figures did not include a number of undescribed species in
both the collections. Mr. Martindale exhibited a photograph of the rare
moth Erebus zenobia, the original of which was captured by Mr. Lewis
Ullrich at Tiffin, Ohio. Mr. Laurent reported once having seen a speci-
men of Anthocharis genutia flying in the streets of the city. The Section
decided to take part in the annual meet of entomological societies to be
held July 4th next. Mr. Philip Nell was elected an associate.
HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
ST
OBITUARY
Dr. J. M. J. af Tengstrom, author of a work on the Micro-LEpipop-
TERA of Finland, died Dec. 26, 1890, aged 69.
TT
: Errata to Vol. Il, No. 4.
Page 8o, line 18 from top, for Colymbetes read Corymbites.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for April was mailed March 28, 1891.
OS
)ol
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, -
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
= ae JUNE, 1801. No. 6.
CONTENTS:
Weeks—New Lepidoptera..........-+--+e0+ to2 | Blaisdell—Pupa of Plastocerus Schaumii 112
Townsend—A remarkable new Hippo- Hamilton—Sphenophorus minimus...... 113
boscid from Mexico.....-.-ssssssencsesees 1o5 | Dyar—Spilosoma latipennis........-+++ s+. TI5
Angell—Larva of Polycesta elata -........ 106 | Rowley—Callidryas eubulein Missouri. 117
Neumoegen—Some new and beautiful Notes GE INCWSieccccscccscsdccseestctdiedaatacses 119
SEMEMIIOE 5 s0,5,.0<00ncaesese covoes osevervesere 107 | Entomological Literature............00s0+ 123
Braun—Lepisesia flavofasciata............. 109 | Doings of Societies.........:ssseeee id cassis 126
Skinner—Elementary Entomology...... 110 |
The illustration this month represents two rare Hesperids,
which were described in Vol. I, p. 23, of ENTOMOLOGICAL
NEws. Owing to circumstances the figures could not be given
sooner. The plate represents the so called half-tone process
of photo-engraving invented by Mr. Ives, of this city. The
plate was made by the Crosscup & West Company of g11 Filbert
Street, Philadelphia. In previous issues we have presented a
number of plates made by the Crosscup & West Company, and
it can be readily seen how well adapted the method is for illustra-
ting objects in this branch of natural history. Perhaps the greatest
advantage of the method is its comparative cheapness. The older
plan of lithography is an excellent one, but it is a luxury that can
only be enjoyed by the wealthy, as it necessitates the employment
of an artist to make the drawings, and a lithographer to do the
lithographic work and printing, all of which are expensive. A
plate by the Ives process can be made from a good photographic
print of the object, but it is best to have it made from the nega-
tive when possible. If the photograph is made on one of the
new orthochromatic dry plates, the true color values of the ob-
ject will be obtained. One of the great drawbacks to the study
6 —
-
102 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
of Entomology in this: country is the paucity of illustrations.
Now that good mechanical processes of illustration are a success,
we hope to see tiresome descriptions supplemented by good illus-
trations. Pl. IV, Vol. II, was made by the Crosscup & West
Company from an ordinary negative (not orthochromatic), and
the species are readily recognized. This plate would have cost
at least five times as much by lithography. There will, undoubt-
edly, be improvements made in this line, and we look forward to
a great future for Entomology illustrated.
nD
Vv
NEW LEPIDOPTERA.
By A. G. WEEKS, JR., Boston.
Hypolycena festata n. sp. i
Hab.—Lower California (San José del Cabo). Expanse, 6
and 9, 1.00 to 1.10 inches.
Male.—Front and summit of head covered with light gray, nearly white
hairs, deepening in shade as they approach thorax.- Antenne blackish,
with white annulations at the base of each joint; club blackish brown,
tipped with orange at base, the white extends nearly half way to apex.
Thorax above presents generally the same color as wings, and is covered
with grayish hairs; beneath it is almost pure white. Legs covered with
white hairs, shading into gray at ends. Abdomen above same color as
wings, the blue disappearing towards end, where it is replaced by deep-
ening gray; underneath white, shading into yellowish gray at end.
Upperside of fore-wings a deep rich purplish blue, with some lustre; a
large discoidal spot of the original ground color not inclining to blackish;
the base very slightly dusted with blackish gray scales; the costa edged
with blackish gray, at most linear over discoidal cell, and broadening
towards apex, then extending down -hind margin, of varying width, and
covering one-third of marginal area; inner margin without any border.
Hind wings: ground color same as fore-wings; inner margin light gray;
costa and hind margin with a linear edge of blackish gray, inside of which,
on the hind margin, is a fine thread-like line of white, broadening some-
what towards anal angle; inside of this is an almost imperceptible shading
of dark blackish gray, bordering the ground color; two thread-like tails
from termination of submedian nervure and first median nervule, the
former more than thrice the length of the latter, blackish gray, very slightly
edged and tipped with white; between these tails the dark shading inside
of white line, broadens into a dark spot, and this broadening is repeated
below the submedian nervure, but in less degree; at anal angle is an
orange spot of small size, bordered at top with white, and bearing a few
light blue scales at lower edge. :
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 103
Beneath both wings are light gray with slight intermingling of whitish
scales, and near base a slight shading of darker gray, which latter is want-
ing in some specimens. The costa of the fore-wing is edged with orange
near base, about one-quarter the distance to apex; edge of hind margin
with a delicate line of dark brownish gray; the dark edging which appears
on upper side and occupies one-third of marginal area, manifests itself
underneath by a very slight yellowish tinge, scarcely perceptible on the
gray back-ground ; on the inner edge of this, one-sixteenth inch from
margin, is a transverse stripe of darkish gray elongated streaks extending
from the costal border to the lower median nervule, bordered on each
side with lighter gray, and always very indistinct, imperceptible on some
specimens; inside of these and one-third the distance from margin to base
is a series of more or less distinct transverse streaks extending from costa
to lower median nervule, bordered with white or very light gray on the
outside, and with orange on the inside, the orange being nearly absent at
upper part near costa, but becoming more prominent below; this line is
the prominent feature of the markings; within this and parallel to it is a
line of very indistinct darkish transverse streaks extending to inner mar-
gin. On the edge of hind margin of hind wing is a delicate line of dark
brownish gray, Wrdered on inner side with white, or very light gray;
within this and one-sixteenth inch from margin is a line of nearly semi-
circular darkish gray lines extending from costa to inner margin, occa-
sionally with a few orange scales enclosed and bordered with a little lightish
gray; in the middle of the outer two-thirds of the wing is an irregular,
but nearly straight series of transverse streaks of dark gray, forming a
continuance of the streaks on fore-wing, but more strongly bordered with
orange on inner side and white on outer side, and running parallel to the
margin and terminating at inner margin about one-third the distance from
anal angle to base; in the lower median interspace is a prominent orange
spot, bordered above with a black line and enclosing at its base a nearly
circular black spot, almost touching hind margin; in the next space below
is a similar orange and black spot, less than half the size of the first and
less distinctly marked, extending over the nervure to the anal angle;
between these spots there is a sprinkling of light bluish scales, sometimes
absent.
Female.—Head, antennz and legs, same as male. Thorax and abdo-
men the same, except the blue of the male is replaced by the ground color
of the wings. Ground color of wings a light grayish blue, near light
slate color; some specimens being brighter and with considerable lustre;
markings the same as male, except that the discoidal spot is wanting (al-
though slightly apparent on some specimens), and the border of blackish
gray on fore-wings, especially on hind margins, is more suffused, and
covers one-half the area of the wing, extending from lower angle to a
point on costa midway between apex and base. Beneath identical with 3.
The specimens described were taken near San José del Cabo,
at extreme end of the cape, in the month of August. They were
104 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
flitting about the flowering vines near sea-level. Described from
sixteen males and seven females in my collection; taken by Mr.
M. Abbot Frazar in 1888. ,
Lemonias maxima n. sp.
Hab.—Lower California. Expanse, 1.60 inches.
Front of head covered with white hairs, shading into blackish brown at
summit; between head and thorax a ‘‘collar’’ of fulvous hairs. Palpi
white, shading into blackish brown at ends. Antenne blackish, with
white annulations at base of each joint; club blackish, tipped with fulvous.
Thorax above black, covered with blackish brown hairs; beneath white.
Abdomen the same as thorax.
Fore-wings above fulvous and dark brown, with white spots; margins
dark brown. Costa dark brown, with a linear fulvous dash near base.
The dark brown along hind margins covers marginal area; near hind
margin a row of seven white spots in interspaces, the upper two elongated,
and all bordered with a soft dash of blackish brown on basal and outer
sides, more apparent on basal side. Within these, and one-third distance
from margin to base, a second row of seven white spots, larger than the
first and cone-shaped (apex outward), bordered with black on basal side
only, arranged, the upper three in a line at right angle to costa, the next
three at right angle with inner margin and the lower one not in line, but
placed nearer hind margin ; the upper three are placed in the dark brown
of marginal area, the lower four in the fulvous ground color. Above this
row and nearly in costal edge, is a small white speck; at the end of cell a
large white spot edged on each side with black; below this, extending
from median nervule to submedian nervure, another large white spot, —
bordered with black on basal. side only and irregular in shape; between
these two, in notch formed by junction of median nervule and median
nervure, a small blackish brown spot. In center of cell a round white
spot bordered with black, and below this, below nervure, another white
spot bordered with black; between these and base two slight dashes of
white; nervures and nervules dark brown. Hind wings are marked the
same, except that in second row of white spots the second two are much
elongated, with basal ends joining and forming a V; also, on the costa
over center of cell, a larger elongated white spot with no border.
Wings beneath much the same as above, except general coloring is much
lighter and brighter and some lustre. Costa of fore-wings edged with
white near base, broader at base, and tapering off to a point half way up
the wing. White spots more suffused; these forming the Y on the upper
side of hind wings, blended in one irregular spot, and elongated or suf-
fused enough to join with white spot in cell. Base of hind wings, and
inner margin of same, generously dashed with silvery scales.
Described from two specimens in my collection, taken near
San José del Cabo, Lower California, by Mr. M. Abbot Frazar.
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 105
A Remarkable new Hippoboscid from Mexico.
By C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND, Las Cruces, N. M.
{Read before the Entomological Society of Washington, Feb. 5, 1891.]
Recently Dr. Alfredo Duges, of Guanajuato, Mexico, sent me
a unique of a species of Hippoboscidz, with the request that I _
describe it. It had been taken on a bat, Glossophaga soricina,
and was labeled 7richobius sp. This genus is queried in Scud-
der’s ‘‘ Nomenclator,’’ being followed by the authority Gervais,
also queried, the information having apparently been furnished
by Mr. Bigot. I have searched in vain for any description. or
any mention of this genus in literature, except the remark by
Mr. Bigot that he does not know the genus (Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.
1885, p. 228), and I am forced to the conclusion that it has never
been described, but is perhaps merely a name that has been per-
petuated by labels in collections.
The above specimen has much the general appearance of Stred/a,
according to Wiedemann’s and Macquart’s figures of S. vesper-
tilionis, and its similar habit would point to a near relationship
with that genus. However, on Bigot’s authority, Stred/a has the
claws of the tarsi simple, while our specimen has them bidentate,
and further differs in having the first joint of all the tarsi very -
short, not elongate, not distinctly longer than the three following
joints. Loew considered Stred/a to belong to the Nycteribide
on account of the first joint of the tarsi being elongate. The
above specimen, moreover, has the eyes situated farther forward,
near the middle of the head, instead of on the outer posterior
angles. Yet, after all these differences, the venation agrees almost
exactly with Stved/a.. If we consider with Loew that the latter
genus belongs with the Nycteribidz, then the present specimen
is the first Hippoboscid known to be parasitic on bats. I am
inclined to believe, however, that .S¢ved/a should, from its flattened
head and the presence of wings, be included with the Hippobos-
cidz, in spite of the fact that it is parasitic on bats. In this con-
nection .S. avium Macq., said by Loew to be synonymous with
S. vespertiliontis, is recorded as parasitic on pigeons and parrots
in San Domingo. It is possible that this synonymy is in error,
as the difference in habit would indicate two distinct forms. If
such is the case, it might favor. the separation of Stred/a and
allied genera, with 7richodcus, under the family name Streblidz,
as already adopted by some authors.
106 ENTOMOOLGICAL NEWS. [ June,
However this may be, our specimen is remarkable as an unde-
scribed form parasitic on bats, and in spite of differential charac-
ters, being probably nearly related to Stred/a. As I can find no
description of the genus 77ichodius, 1 adopt the name and de-
scribe it as new.
TRICHOBIUS nov. gen.
Head more or less flattened, tubercular, or warted above; eyes situated
nearer the middle than the back of the head, distinct; antennze (?) dis-
tinct, apparently single jointed, with a terminal bristle; ocelli absent.
Wings present, much longer than the abdomen, with six longitudinal and
three transverse veins; first longitudinal vein ending in the front margin
at about the outer two-thirds of the wing; second ending a little before
the tip; third forking from the second near the base of the wing, and end-
ing exactly at the wing tip; anterior transverse vein a little below (behind)
the furcation of the second and third veins; the hindmost (innermost)
cross-vein, which may be called the posterior, near the margin somewhat
below the anterior and between the fifth and sixth veins; the other cross-
vein, which may be called the apical, near the margin of the wing and
between the fourth and fifth veins. Legs moderately short, somewhat
stout; tarsi 5-jointed, the first joint of all pairs not perceptibly longer than
each of the three following, very short; claws stout, two-toothed.
I take pleasure in naming this interesting species in honor of
Dr. Alfredo Duges, of the Colegio del Estado, at Guanajnato.
Trichobius dugesii nov. sp.—Entirely tawny, or very pale reddish yellow. —
Head flattened, warty above, bristly below and at the vertex, rounded in
outline, light fulvous; eyes silvery. Thorax deeper fulvous, bristly above;
transverse suture distinct, also dorsal_and humeral sutures. Abdomen
very light fulvous, somewhat bristly on the sides and at the extremity.
Legs fulvous, femora enlarged, very bristly above; last joint of all the
tarsi as long as the four very short joints that precede it taken together;
claws stout, black, two-toothed; tibize and tarsi short pubescent. Wings
very light fulvous, with veins deeper fulvous; entire wing borders and
veins bristly. Iength of body, 1% mm.; to tips of wings, 24% mm.
One specimen, taken on Glossophaga soricina, Guanajuato,
Mexico, ;
ry)
VY
LARVA OF POLYCESTA ELATA Lec.
By G. W. J. ANGELL, N. Y. City.
Form elongate, flattened, dorsal and ventral surface slightly
convex. Color white; segments thirteen, three thoracic and ten
abdominal. First four abdominal segments equal in width, fifth
to tenth gradually tapering. Last segment conical, truncate;
18g1. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 107
anal opening longitudinal. Prothorax large, narrowed in front;
a fuscous cuneiform median sulcus extending from anterior mar-
gin to base. Spiracles nine; first
large, fuscous and crescent shaped,
situated in fold of the infero-lateral
plate of mesothoracic segment at the
juncture of dorsal plate. Spiracles
second to ninth small, black or fus-
cous, situated on first eight abdominal
segments near anterior margin . of
dorsal division, increasing in size
from second to fifth, and decreasing
from fifth to ninth. Head rather
prominent, oval and convex, dengely
clothed with short fuscous hairs,‘ a
small punctiform fova on each side.
Clypeus emarginate, with dark chiti-
nous borders. Labrum coriaceous,
fuscous at base, anterior margin
slightly sinuate. Mandibles short,
stout, cleft at tip, grooved at base;
mentum coriaceous, emarginate and
trisinuate. Labium membraneous, cordate. Paraglosse promi-
nent. Antennz small, three-jointed, situated near base of man-
dibles. Length of full grown larve from two to two and one-half
inches.
Breeds in post oak (Quercus obtusiloba Michx), cutting a
grooved channel, slightly flattened, in general course parallel to
and near the bark. The figures are life size, drawn from larve
and pupa; raised from specimens received from Cypress Mills,
Texas.
SOME NEW AND BEAUTIFUL AGERIADA.
By BERTHOLD NEUMOEGEN, New York.
Although our fauna contains quite a number of A<geriada,
yet the group does not seem so prolific as its European relatives
and the American insects, among whom there are some extremely
beautiful and striking species, are counted as rarities up to this
day. Since Mr. Hy. Edwards has sifted the various genera some
108 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
years ago, very few new comers have been announced. It there-
fore affords me great pleasure to be able to describe some promi-
nent new species.
Trochilium califoraicum n. sp.—Palpi, head, collar, abdomen and legs,
bright sulphur color. Antenne light brown, thickening in centre and
curling at tips, minutely pectinated. Thorax black, with light yellow bor-
ders. Primaries and secondaries vitreous; the costa, margins and ner-
vures in both of them, as well as the discal spot of primaries, of light
coffee brown. A bright yellow spot at base of primaries. Fringes light
coffee brown. The first two segments of abdomen black, with a small
yellow intersection of remaining segments a few slightly marked with
black lines. Expanse of wings, 37 mm.; length of body, 15 mm.
HTab.—Central California. Type ?, coll. B. Neumoegen.
This insect comes very near 7. pacificum Hy. Edw., of which
it seems to be the southern representative. It is easily distin-
guished by its antennze and abdomen, besides being a smaller
insect.
Trochilium minimum n. sp.—Antennz black, pectinated. Palpi, head —
and collar yellow, the latter with a black border; patagiz black, with
yellow rims. Legs and abdomen yellow, the latter with black segmentary
bands. Primaries and secondaries above vitreous; costa, margins, discal
ee on primaries, nervures, fringes, uniformly brown. Below, costa and
iscal spot of primaries, as well as anal margin of secondaries, have a
yellow tinge. Expanse of wings, 29 mm.; length of body, to mm.
Hab.—Denver, Col. Type %, coll. B. Neumoegen.
Mr. D. Bruce caught this specimen, and informs me that its
larva feeds on willow. He will probably be able to give a full
description of the latter next season. This is the smallest North
American true 7yochilium so far known, and comes very near
the European 7rochilium melanocephalum Dalm.
Laranda palmii n. sp.—._ Antenne slightly pectinated. Palpi light
red. Head black, collar yellow. Thorax black, overcast with red dust.
Abdom-n black, with first and fourth segments yellow, and red anal tuft.
Below yellow, dusted with red. Legs brownish red; fringes black. Pri-
maries slender, of reddish tinge, overcast with black, especially along
costa, apical space and exterior margin. Secondaries about one-third
larger than primaries; bright red. Basal half hyaline; black shades at
apex, exterior margin and anal angle. Below, primaries black, shading
into red at base, costa and along exterior margin. Secondaries red, hya-
line; nervures and fringes black.
?.—Antennz slender, simple, much larger than the ¢', and wings not
so disproportionate. Primaries and secondaries bright red; costa and
1
b
]
:
.
.
[ 1891. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 109
exterior margins prominently black, with black areas at apex and anal
angle of secondaries. Below, a large part of inner space of primaries
black; costa and margins bright red. Secondaries with black nervures.
Expanse of wings, 9, 25 mm.; 2, 27 mm.; length of body, ¢' 9 mm.;
Q, 11 mm.
Hab.—South Arizona. Types, three males and one female;
coll. Charles Palm and B. Neumoegen.
I take great pleasure in dedicating this beautiful insect to my
friend, Mr. Charles Palm.
Albuna vitrina n. sp.—Head black; palpi and collar yellow. Thorax
black. Antennz brown, pectinated; caudal tuft narrow and black. Legs
black, with yellow joints. Primaries and secondaries vitreous; prominent
discal spot on primaries; costa, margins, discal spot and nervures brown,
with a basal dot of same color on both wings. Below the same, except
that nervures of costa and interior margin of primaries are pale yellow.
Expanse of wings, 21 mm.; length of body, 1o mm.
Hab.—Ft. Calgary, N. W. Territory. Type %, coll. B. Neu-
moegen.
.)
U
NOTES ON THE EARLIER STAGES OF LEPISESIA
FLAVOFASCIATA Barnst.
By Cart Braun, Bangor, Me.
(Continued from p. 89, Vol. II, No. 5.)
The freshly-laid egg resembles that of Dezlaph. chamenerii
very much; indeed, at the first sight, one’ who is acquainted with
the ova of the Sphingidz would take it to be nothing else, so-
striking is the resemblance in size, color and form. It is grass-
_ green, with a smooth surface without granulations, in form sphe-
roidal; diameter about one-third of an inch; they change before
hatching, which takes place in from five to six days, to a yellowish
white color. The young larva is three-sixteenths of an inch long,
cylindrical, yellowish white with a large head, on each side of
which is a large black eye-spot. The head resembles in com-
parison that of a pug dog. All the legs are tipped with black;
the horn, which is short, stout and straight, is tipped with black.
The first molt is made in seven days. The color changes now to
bluish green, with a faint rosy, irregular longitudinal stripe on
the back. The color on tip of horn is violet or black, it grows
shorter at every change, till it finally is discarded at the third
110 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
molt, and only a shiny botton remains, which has a black rim.
After the third molt the larva changés to light brown on sides
and darker above, beneath rosy.
Of nine full grown larve the smallest measured I. 50 inches,
the largest 1.68 inches. The color is of a uniform chocolate with
a smooth surface, rosy beneath; legs tipped with black, two large
black eye-spots, one on each side of head, which is large in com-
parison to body. The larva is stout and cylindrical; they feed
from thirty-five to thirty-seven days on Epilodium. Pupation is
on top of ground, among leaves, making an attempt at a light
cocoon similar to the manner of Hemaris thysbe and diffinis.
The newly-made pupa is from seven-eighths to one inch long,
stout, with prominent head of ochre yellow, which changes to
chestnut in some and blackish brown in others. The cremaster
is short and stout, with seven terminal hooks; in some, nine; in
others, which are barbed, a silk thread attaches the hooks to the
leaf cocoon. The habits of the larve are peculiar; they feed
mostly at night, hiding on the underside of the leaf by day with
head thrown ‘to the right side of body; they are very restless
when young, but soon become quiet after they have once settled
on their food; they require a great deal of care, and need plenty
of good air, and will not thrive in the glass jar, but will do well
on the food put in water with a fine gauze-net over it ina iss
place.
In the next paper I will sts cist to describe the earlier stages
of Smerinthus cerisyt.
vay
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
LEPIDOPTERA.
The eggs of butterflies and moths are very carefillae laid by
the female insect on the appropriate plant on which the young ~
caterpillars are destined to feed. They are unerring botanists in
this respect, and never make a mistake, although they sometimes
deposit eggs on plants the leaves or stems of which mingle with
those on which the larve are to feed, and to which they soon find
their way. The eggs are secured to the plants by a kind of glue
or cement, which soon dries on exposure to the air, and is neces-
sarily insoluble in water. They are. laid singly or in varying —
:
:
:
|
1891. | ENTOMO@LOGICAL NEWS. III
numbers. Sometimes they are all laid together and with much
regularity on the leaf or around a twig; in this case the young
larve are gregarious, and continue to feed in a community.
Some species are gregarious, while the larve are young, but sepa-
rate as they approach full grow th and shift for themselves. The
eggs, to a certain extent, mimic their surroundings to protect
them from spiders and birds, and also from parasites that feed on
them. The eggs of Zolyfe velleda are laid in strings, and are
covered by hairs from the tuft at the end of the abdomen of the
female moth and they closely resemble a hairy caterpillar.
“The eggs of butterflies are composed externally of a thin
pellicle, separated into the base, walls and micropyle (apex of
the egg and place where the male fertilizing cells enter).’’ The
micropyle is made up of very small cells, and the walls are either
smooth or variously sculptured. They vary considerably in shape,
the principal varieties being globular, hemispherical, cone, or
spindle shaped. White or green are the prevailing colors, al-
though they may in some cases be yellow, red or brown. As
the young caterpillar develops, its color may be seen through the
thin and delicate walls of the shell, and this makes the egg appear
black. The eggs of the Satyrine, Nymphalidz and ‘Papilionidz
are globular; in the Hesperide they are usually hemispherical,
and in the Pierinz they are spindle-shaped. The hatching period
is a variable one, depending on temperature and exposure to the
direct rays of the sun. It may be stated in a general way that
they hatch in from three to twenty days, according to the species.
Some species pass the Winter in the egg state, although the vast
majority live during this period as chrysalids. The eggs of le-
-pidoptera make very pretty and interesting objects for study
under a magnifying-glass or microscope, and the different eggs
of the different species bear the same relation to each other as do
the different species in the perfect or imago state, and there is no
‘doubt but what a system of classification could be formulated
from these alone. The eggs of some species are very readily
found, and the writer would urge the beginner to look on cab-
bage plants for the odd little spindle-shaped eggs of Pieris rape,
and study them under a glass and see the micropyle, etc., and
then place them in a box with the food-plant and rear the young
larvee to the perfect state, and thus gain a knowledge of the life-
history of one species, which will be a good guide to the study
112 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
of all others. The eggs of Danais archippus are also readily
found on the common silk or milk-weed (at the present time,
May roth). They are generally deposited on the underside of a
leaf, and usually only one on a plant, and if the leaves are care-
fully examined the eggs are easily seen, They are conical in
form and longitudinally ribbed, and between these run transverse
ones. They are white when laid, but gradually turn yeliow, and —
just before the young caterpillar is to emerge they change to a
steel-gray color. :
Another common species which is often found depositing its
eggs on clover is Colias philodice. The egg of this species is in
the shape of a spindle, and is attached to the plant by the point
or one end. They are pale yellow when first laid, but soon
change to a dark crimson, and are very interesting and pretty
objects. They are also longitudinally ribbed and crossed by —
strie. It would be well if egg hunting were considered more
profitable by lepidopterists, as there is no doubt but what great
expertness could be acquired in this line, and in this way much
interesting knowledge would be gained, and when they were
carried through to the perfect state nice, bright, and faultless
specimens would be obtained.—Ep.
ray
VU
Pupa of Plastocerus Schaumii.
By Frank E. BLAISDELL, M.D., Coronado, Cal.
Length 13.4 mm. Form elongate, curved, non-pubescent. Color of
head, thorax and members, dirty white, with slight tinge of yellow; head
and thorax opaque; members translucent; abdominal segments fulvous;
central portions opaque; borders semi-transparent. Head deflexed and
sunken, rather deeply into prothorax; front full, with two slight depres-
sions separated by a median longitudinal ridge; denticulation of mandi-
bles visible. Antennz curved, thrown back so that middle of the con-
vexity touches corresponding portion of the side of prothorax; apices
near or resting against knees of anterior and posterior limbs, which ap-
proximate; pectinations directed inwards and backwards. Prothorax
quadrate, flexed upon mesothorax; anterior angles overlapping the eyes, .
so as to cover the posterior half of their surface; posterior angles promi-
nent, strongly divergent; anterior border bearing two spines, each being
situated at the junction of the middle, with an outer third. Spines mod-
erately divergent, basal halves straight, stout; apical portions slender,
curved, chitinous; tips piceous. Mesonotal region depressed; elytral pads
striate, much narrower than those of wings, scarcely reaching base of
fourth abdominal segment. Metanotal region full, prominent; alar pads”
a
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 113
with apices nearer median line and posterior to those of elytra, overlap-
ping base of fourth abdominal segment; anterior pair limbs extending to
base of second abdominal segment; median pair to opposite base of third,
posterior pair to centre of sixth segment. Abdomen depressed, moder-
ately curved upon itself; sides feebly convex. Segments nine, decreasing
very slowly in width to fifth, then more rapidly; third, fourth, fifth and
sixth, subequal; first shorter than second, which is shorter than third;
eighth two-thirds as wide as third, shorter than seventh; ninth (anal) sculp-
tured, partly sunken within eighth; from its dorsal surface and beneath
posterior border of eighth two spines project, which are divergent, slightly
recurved, chitinous. Sexual characters: male distinguished by the longer
antennal pectinations. There is no appreciable difference between the
eighth ventral segments in the two sexes.
Two specimens (% and @), Coronado, San Diego County,
taken June 24th and July Ist, 1890, from 20.32 cm. below the
surface of the soil. Position and pupal chamber had been de-
stroyed before they were observed. From the appearance and
position of the spines, I would infer that the pupa approaches
the surface previous to the emergence of the imago. The adult
insect is vividly portrayed at this stage, the quadrate pronotum
suggests P. frater. One specimen was permitted to complete
the transformations, the imago possessing a narrow prothorax
and divergent posterior angles, characteristic of Schaumii. Six
days previous to the appearance of the imago, the eyes and man-
dibles began to darken; prothorax darkened, but slightly. The
hardening and darkening of the imaginal exoskeleton progressed
very slowly; head and thorax had darkened by the fifth day; ab-
domen and elytra by the tenth day. The larva has not yet been
recognized, but believe I possess it among several species of
Elaterid larve.
oO
Note on Sphenophorus minimus Hart.
By JoHN HAmILton, M.D., Allegheny, Pa.
Examining some indeterminata taken here, which have been
accumulating during several years, two specimens of Spheno- -
phorus minimus Hart were discovered,—a species described
‘ lately by Mr. A. C. Hart in an article entitled, ‘‘ The Corn Bill
Bugs,’’ in which he writes an excellent ‘‘ Key to the Illinois °
Species’’ ( pertinax, robustus, costipennis, scoparius, sculptilis,
cariosus, melanocephalus, Sayi, placidus, minimus and parvulus).
The article treats these species exhaustively, accompanied by
three plates of well executed, enlarged figures, and is published
‘y14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
in the 16th Report of the State Entomologist of Illinois, being
the 5th Report of S. A. Forbes for 1887-88, pp. 58-74, and
plates I, II and III in part.
As this species is evidently local, and perhaps i in many collec-
tions as an indeterminate, a presentation here of its distinguishing
characters may be opportune, as comparatively few, to whom it
might be useful, are likely to meet with the Report in which oon
description is published.
Sphenophorus minimus Hart.—Black, opaque when denuded, covered
with a thin cinereous indument, argillaceous in the large punctures, ex-
cept rostrum before antennz; antennal club and basal portion of anterior
femora internally, shining black; funicle and tarsi polished rufous. Ros-
trum, ©, half as long as thorax, finely punctured for a short distance in
front of the eyes and not deeply canaliculate, slightly arcuate, moderately
compressed, scarcely wider to tip, base sbruptly dilated over the scrobes
and coarsely punctured, as is likewise the head; thorax longer than wide,
nearly as wide as the elytra, moderately constricted at apex, base and
apex behind constriction subequal, slightly widest before middle, behind
which the sidés are nearly parallel to base, which is roundly truncate each
side; surface sparsely, irregularly variolato-punctate, with large shallow
punctures; a small, median, smooth space, tending to obsolescence, or to
project backwards as a fine line; anterior constriction with close-placed,
discrete, shallow, variolate punctures to margin; scutellum elongate, nar-
row, not channeled, coated normally, but liable to abrasion. Elytra widest
near base, gradually narrower to tip, finely striate, striz each with a few
distant, coarse, variolate punctures placed transversely in rows, the de-
pressions around which make the surface uneven; intervals flat, equal,
when denuded finely uniseriately punctured; pygidium shallowly punc-
tured, pubescent with yellow bristles near ,tip, and on each side of apex
with a small tuft. Underside with small, discrete, variolate punctures.
The centre of all the punctures is luteous, which, contrasted with the
cinereous surface, causes a spotted appearance. Length 5 mm.
This species belongs to the fifth section of Dr. Geo. H. Horn’s
synopsis (Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. Phil. xiii, 421), where it forms a
third division under Section A, with this definition: ZVhorax
sparsely and irregularly punctured with large variolate punctures.
The above characters are derived from the two specimens in my
collection. Mr. Hart’s description was made from six males and.
five females, taken from floating driftwood and logs near water,
at Urbana and Springfield, Ill. Length 5-6 mm. The smallest
species in our fauna, Mr. Hart says. I have ten examples of
parvulus from Illinois and Iowa, none of which exceed 5 mm.
Measurements from anterior margin of thorax. '
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 115
Preparatory stages of Spilosoma latipennis Stretch.
By Harrison G. Dyar, New York City.
Egg.—Not observed; the eggs had been entirely devoured by the little
larve, but, judging from the marks left on the leaf, were about .6 mm. in
diameter. ,
First stage.—Not observed, but judging from the cast skins very similar
to the second stage. The head was pale, the jaws brown, width some-
what over .3 mm. ;
Second stage.—The larve were found in this stage June 26th on an ash
leaf, some twenty or thirty together. Head pale whitish, brownish on the
clypeus and at vertex; ocelli black; width .4 mm. Body whitish, the
warts concolorous and hardly distinguishable, bearing long whitish hairs.
Length of larva 3 mm.
Third stage.—Head shiny, pale yellowish, faintly brownish at the ver-
tex, ocelli black; jaws brown; width, .6mm. Body as before, the warts
small, concolorous, and bearing long blackish hairs.
Fourth stage.—Head as before, but not brownish at the vertex; width
-gmm. Body pale whitish, semi-transparent, the food showing through
asa darker band. Hair rather long, whitish. Length 8 mm.
Fifth stage.—Head pale straw color, ocelli black, mouth brownish;
width 1.1mm. Body as before, the hair whitish and rather abundant.
Sixth stage—As in the previous stage; width of head 1.3 mm. An
orange subdorsal spot on joint 12, and a much fainter one on joint 3.
Seventh stage.—As before; width of head about 1.6 mm. (measurement
not very accurate) A blackish subdorsal shade band and row of seg-
’ mentary white dorsal spots faint at the extremities of the body. Hair
rather long, mixed with black.
Eighth stage.—Head testaceous; jaws dark brown; ocelli black; width
2.1mm. Body sordid greenish, mottled with black over the dorsum, a
white dorsal and super-stigmatal line and pale stigmatal shade; spiracles
white in a narrow black border; warts large, concolorous. Hair rather
bristly, of irregular length, tawny brown, mixed with blackish; on joint
12 an orange spot surrounding the wart of row three. Thoracic feet
testaceous. .
Ninth stage.—Head brownish testaceous, mouth pale, ocelli and jaws
black; width 2.3 mm. Body nearly black from the thick mottlings, the
dorsal and super-stigmatal lines white; spiracles as before. Thoracic feet
testaceous, abdominal feet. black outwardly; a subdorsal orange spot
before wart three on joint 12. Venter as black as the body above; warts
large, pale yellowish. Hair foxy red, mixed with blackish.
Tenth stage.—Exactly as in the previous stage; width of the head 2.6 mm.
Eleventh stage.—Head testaceous brown, labrum, mouth and antennz
pale ; width 3.1 mm. Body nearly black, with only the merest traces of
the lines, the orange spots on joint 12 small; spiracles white. Thoracic
feet brownish testaceous, the claspers of the abdominal feet pale; warts
116 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
pale; hair bristly, blackish, appearing foxy red next the body. The larva
resembles the dark brown form of Spi/osoma virginica in appearance.
Cocoon formed of the larval hairs held in place with silk as in other
species of Spzlosoma.
Pupa robust; nearly straight along the ventral line, slightly contracted
along the ventral line, slightly contracted laterally behind the thorax.
Abdomen large, rounded, the last segments tapering rapidly; cremaster
flat, short and thick, furnished with many short knobbed spines. Thorax
and cases creased; body coarsely, but densely punctured. Color pitchy
black, shiny, the spiracles pale reddish.
The larva matured and began to form its cocoon September 3d,
giving a larval period of over ten weeks. A male imago emerged —
in a warm room on March 12th, the next year.
It will be observed from the measurements given above that
the widths of head follow the calculated series well, except the
ninth stage, which is entirely superfluous, being inserted as a
geometric mean between the eighth and tenth stages at a much
higher ratio than any other stage, viz., calculated, .4, .5, .7, .9,
I.I, 1.3, 1.7, 2.1, 2.6, 3.2, ratio .80, giving but ten stages; found
.3, -4, .6, .9, I.1, 1.3, 1.6, 2.1, 2.3, 2.6, 3.1. The ratio between
the 8th, 9th and roth stages as found is .go, which, if kept up,
would interpolate an extra stage between every one. Does this
indicate that this species has normally but ten stages, and that the
gth as observed by me is unusual, being produced by scarcity of °
food or some other cause? It is to be noted that I did not find
its markings to differ at all from those of the roth stage.
Mr. Hulst, in the brief, but only published account of this spe-
cies,* apparently found but six larval stages, but in the absence
of any measurements it is useless to speculate on this. While I
do not deny that the number of stages of this as well as other
species, may be subject to variation under varying conditions of
climate or food, or even under normal conditions, I hold that it
is very far from having been proved. This will require accurate
observation, in my opinion best accompanied by measurements,
so that it can be seen where the variation, if any, occurred, as
well as to serve as a check on the accuracy of the work.t
Food-plants.—The larve are probably omnivorous. Though
found on ash, they seemed to prefer various herbaceous plants
as they became older. Larve from Dutchess County, New York.
* Bull. Brooklyn Ent. Soc. viii, 120. + See further Psyche, v, 420.
ad
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 117
Callidryas eubule in Missouri.
By R. R. Row.ey, Curryville, Mo.
My acquaintance with Callidryas eubule began in the Summer
of 1881. Aboutthe middle of August numbers of this splendid
insect flitted about the streets of Louisiana, Mo., and I succeeded
in taking a fine female on garden flowers. As I had never met
the species before, and as all the specimens observed seemed to
be moving in the same direction, as well as because of the sudden
appearance and disappearance of so great a number of strange
insects, the impression was left in.my mind that they were in-
- habitants of another clime and were migrating.
A close watch through the Summers of 1882, 1883 and 1884,
failed to discover a single specimen, and I had about abandoned
all hope of adding to my meagre knowledge of this golden winged
fairy, when returning from a day’s tramp in the woods and fields,
about the middle of the afternoon on the 17th of October, 1885,
a fine male ezdule sailed quickly across my path and settled for a
moment on a tall Autumn flower just over the fence, almost be-
yond my reach. I collected myself quickly from the astonish-
ment into which its sudden appearance had thrown me, and with
the full length of my long net-pole, carefully and tenderly swept
in the treasure. It was a bright, new specimen, and had doubt-
less flitted out into the sunshine for the first time that pleasant
October day, as nota scale had been disturbed on its pretty wings.
I had added a new and interesting chapter to the few facts gath-
ered four years before, and had completely reversed my first im-
‘pressions, being now satisfied that exdu/e dwelt here among us.
Through several succeeding Summers I made frequent trips to
a bunch of Cassa marilandica, four miles away, but without find-
ing an egg or a larva (I had found this clump of Cassza in chasing
Terias nicippe), having learned from some entomological source
that the larva of edule feeds on Senna. Though I saw occasional
imagos high on the wing, I learned nothing concerning its pre-
paratory stages till the mid-summer of 1888. In that year Zerias
“isa was very abundant, and I had observed the females of that
species depositing eggs on Cassia chamecrista, a very abundant
plant along the railroad and in adjoining fields near Curryville.
In searching for the larve of this latter species, on the 4th of
6"
118 ENT@MOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
August, I found seven fine exdz/e caterpillars. Later in the same
month I obtained two more and captured a number of imagos.
Eubule is a very difficult butterfly to take, usually soaring be-
yond the reach of the net. I have taken it at mud and on red
clover and ‘‘milk-weed’’ blossoms. It is wary and difficult to
approach, settling on a flower but for a moment.
The grown larva is from 134 to 2 inches in length, and varies
in color from a light green to a- yellowish green, the entire body
being covered with raised black points. There is a bright yellow
longitudinal line or band below the spiracles, and on each segment
there is a cross line or band of dark blue, preceded by a broken
line of the same color extending downward to the longitudinal
band. The light green larva wants these cross lines of blue,
black segmental dashes, encircled by blue, either side of the yel-
low band taking their places. The underside of the body is light
green. Head yellow, with a yellowish green face. Top of head
set with raised black points. Feet yellow. None of the larve,
before the fourth moult, show the cross blue bands. The young
larva is light yellowish green with the yellow band and raised
black points.
The pupa is 1% inches long, a beautiful light green with a mid-
dorsal dark line and a light lateral line to each side. Wing cases
very much humped, giving great breadth to the body. A long
thorn like spine projects forward from the front of the head.
Length of pupal period ten days. From the suspension of the
larva to pupation is from twenty-six to twenty-eight hours,
Eubule seems to be a very delicate insect and difficult to rear
in confinement. Out of nine larvee handled, but two reached
the imago, and these were about ready to suspend when found.
The remaining seven died after suspending, either just before or
just after pupation, the fine green of the new pupa soon becoming
a dark putrid mass. Besides edule, I have found feeding on
Cassia chamecrista the following species: Zerias isa and Hy-
perchiria to.
ra’
Vv
No number of the News will be published for July or August. These
two months will be devoted to collecting by the subscribers and editorial
committee.
This number of the News contains 28 pages.
— or
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 11g
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
(The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
_ of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
5 printed according to date of reception.
To our PatTrons.—We want to increase the number of pages of EN-
TOMOLOGICAL News and thereby augment its usefulness. To do this we
must obtain a larger number of subscribers and thereby increase the in-
come. There are doubtless many persons in this country who are inter-
ested in the study of Entomology, who have not yet heard of the existence
of such a journal as ENTOMOLOGICAL News, and who would probably
become subscribers if their attention were called to it. The question is,
how to reach these persons? It has been suggested that each subscriber
make a list of the names and addresses of all whom he or she know are
interested in the study and send it to the Editor, that a sample copy may
be sent to all who are not already on the subscription-list, as an invitation
tosubscribe. This is a good suggestion, and we therefore ask our sub-
scribers to assist us in this way. As another method of increasing the list,
we have concluded to offer premiums for new subscribers, and call atten-
tion to this in a notice to be found on the second page of the cover of this
number of the News. :
THE IDEAL entomological journal is one that covers the whole field,
and each number should contain matter that will please all its readers.
The dry scientific article should have a place along with that of a more
popular and lighter vein. A journal, any number of which is made up
largely of a dry synopsis of a single family in an order, is of value to only
a very few readers, and the large remainder are disappointed and obliged
to wait another month in hopes of finding something more tempting.
The subscribers are made up of the professional entomologist, the sys-
tematist, the lover of nature in general, the amateur entomologist, those
interested in Entomology in general, those interested in a single order,
the student and the beginner, and the scope of a journal should be such
and the paging sufficient in each number to supply readable matter for all.
The lepidopterist, the hymenopterist, or the neuropterist, cares little for
an article on some obscure family of beetles, and the coleopterist is equally,
dissatisfied with the same program in the other orders; therefore, the ideal
journal is one that covers the subject from A to Z; or, to give an illustra-
tion, the intergrades may be filled in between to such articles as these,
‘Notes on the Genitalia of Gynandromorphous Macro-lepidoptera’’ and
“There was an old man in a tree
Who was horribly bored by a bee.
‘When asked ‘ Does it buzz?’
He replied, ‘ Yes, it does,
It’s a regular brute of a bee.’ ”’ ED.
120 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
Heterius brunnipennis.—A recent addition to the collections at the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia is a hill of the mound-
building ant, Formica exsectoides, from the vicinity of Altoona, Pa.,
containing a living colony of ants, measuring about three feet in diameter
at the base and about two feet high. It is remarkable, considering the
size, that over two hundred examples of Hetgrius brunnipennis have been
captured upon the exterior of the hill, seemingly creating a doubt as to —
whether it is really a colony of ants, or one of Heterius. The first speci-
mens were observed by Mr. W. J. Fox, on March 30, 1891, and since then
the writer has taken small lots at intervals of three or four days, covering
a period of six weeks, the specimens gradually getting less abundant.
The lower half of one side of the mound, which is almost perpendicular,
is completely honey-combed by exposed galleries, and out of these occa-
sionally one or two Heterius would suddenly make their appearance and
roll to the bottom of the hill. Apparently the ants had carried these to
the open ends of the galleries and unceremoniously tumbled them out.
A great many times ants were observed emerging from the galleries with
Heterius in their jaws, which they would carry a short distance from the
mound and drop, the ants returning without giving them any further at-
tention. Nearly all the Hetgrius that were seen in motion, were intent
upon re-entering the hill, but were usually bottled before they could do
so. Sometimes the Heferius, when touched with a wisp of straw, would
double up their members and drop, feigning death after the manner of
other members of the family. At other times when touched they would
display considerable activity, although awkward and unwieldy in appear-
ance could run along quite rapidly. An examination of small heaps of
dead ants in the extreme corners of the table upon ‘which the mound has
been placed, failed to discover the presence of any Heterius. But one
other coleopter was taken, a species of Pselaphidz. A small dipter was
- noticed in numbers running about, continually in motion, but rarely taking
wing. What the exact contents of the mound may be will remain in
doubt, as all observations were necessarily made from the exterior, it
being the intention to preserve the hill in its entirety. —-CHAs. LIEBECK.
Excursion !—The entomologists of New York, Brooklyn, Newark,
Philadelphia and localities near these cities are invited to attend the second
annual field meeting to be held under the auspices of the entomological
societies of these cities at Jamesburgh, N. J., on July 4th next. James-
burgh is on the Amboy division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and may
be reached from New York, via. Monmouth Junction, 7.20 A.M.; Newark,
7.50 A.M.; Philadelphia, Broad Street, 6.50 A.M.; Camden, 7.00 A.M. Later
grains leave New York via. Rahway and Philadelphia on the Long Branch _
division, but it is urged that the early train be used, as this will bring the
party into Jamesburgh at the same time. All those desiring or expecting
to attend will please notify one of the members of the committee, from
whom also all further information can be obtained. The notification is
important, in order that proper arrangements may be made at Jamesburgh. —
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL . NEWS. 121
Committee: C. P. Machesney, 65 Broadway, N. Y.; Dr. Henry Skinner,
- Amer. Ent. Soc., Logan Square, Philadelphia; Prof. J. B. Smith, New
Brunswick, N. J. ; H. W. Wenzel, 1115 Moore Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Or Amphion nessus, Dr. Holland is recorded as saying (in Smith’s
“Sphingide of America North of Mexico,’’ page 126) that ‘‘if flying in
the middle of the day he ‘has noticed that it always keeps in the shadow,
or slyly hovers about among the thick masses of the Syringa blossoms
in the deep umbrageous recesses, where it is not easily reached by the
net of the collector.’’’ This is at variance with my observation. June 1,
1890, I collected some 18-19 imagines (imagos) in the hot sunshine, be-
tween 1 and 3 p.M., all feeding on the flowers of Blue Flag (/ris versicolor).
My attention was called to the spot in a swampy meadow in one of our
suburban districts of Westchester County by a few fine Papilio turnus
hovering over the blue masses of /ris. The A. nessus had no opportunity
to hide in trying to obtain nectar from the open flowers of Blue Flag, and
was easily taken while exploring the tubular Coro//a for dainties. Out of
some twenty specimens I saw on two successive Sundays feeding on /ris
versicolor, l only missed one. Neither did they exhibit any greater shy-
ness than does Hemaris thysbe visiting the thistle flowers. Of course the
large flowers of Blue Flag do not compare favorably with the thyrses of
Lilac blossoms, many hundreds of which are closely crowded together,
and a hawk moth in visiting its flowers, of necessity must frequently ap-
pear to be in the shadow of the larger flower truss of Syringa vulgaris, or
S. persica. In July, 1889, I took a single specimen of 4. nessus feeding
on the flowers of a Deutzia crenata. 1 could not readily take it, because
it so dodged in and out among the white flowers of the drooping raceme,
that it was difficult to follow its rapid movements. Go to Blue Flag when
in flower, and it is not difficult at all to take A. nessus.—R. Kunze, M.D.
IN some years’ collecting in Essex County, N. J., I have always noted,
with more or less interest, the small colonies of one of our common
“lady birds,” Megilla maculata, which hibernate under leaves, stones,
etc., through the Winter. These colonies have always ranged from 100
to 200 individuals with occasionally one of some 500. On March 6th I
found one of unusual size, and being curious as to the number it contained,
I collected the entire colony with the help of my brother. It numbered
1412. They were on the south side of a chestnut tree under a small
cluster of old chestnut burs. I thought this large number collecting,
whether for social or sexual purposes (and I am inclined to think the latter
has a good deal to do with it), might be interesting to some of the readers
of ENTOMOLOGICAL News who are coleopterists. RALPH HoppINc.
A worD about Argynnis idalia, which are with difficulty taken evem
when feeding on their favorite swamp milkweed (Aslepias incarnata)..
Not far from New Rochelle, Westchester County, N. Y., in a wet swamp,,.
I obtain some specimens every season. In July, 1890, when this milkweed’
was in full flower, I went there as usual with my largest net, fifteen inches:
in diameter, with which I can capture twice the number than with am
122 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
eleven inch affair. After securing a specimen or two it turned to a driz-
zling rain. Nothing daunted, my feet being wet already, I tramped hither
and thither through the long, wet grass and tall weeds, every now and
then starting up an Arg. ida/ia much in the same manner that a hunter
flushes woodcock in a swamp. The A. idalia were thoroughly wetted
like myself and never flew faraway, so that I could easily mark the spot,
walk up stealthily and readily take my prize.—RICcHARD E. Kunze, M.D.
Mr. Epiror.—You refer in the May number of your esteemed paper to
a noctua caught by Mr. J. T. Mason, of Houston, Texas. I identified
this insect last Summer as belonging to the genus Euglyphia. Its correct
name is Euglyphia fastuosa Guén, (Guén. No. 186. Herr.-Sch. Cuba,
1868, p. 9), and it is fully described in Dr. J. Gundlach’s “Contribucion a
la Entom.|{Cubana,”* p. 304. This insect is likewise found in the West
Indies and South America. In Cuba its larva feeds on malva-té (Cechorus
silignosus). It transforms above ground, making a sort of nest from little
bits of grasses. Prof. J. B. Smith, in his new check list, will assign it to
the genus Noropsis Guén., “of which,” as he says, ‘‘it is the type, Zv-
glyphia being restricted to other species by him (Guén.).”—NEUMOEGEN.
The synonymy of the moth is hieroglyphica Cramer, = elegans Hiib.,
= fastuosa Guénee.—Ep.
THE Last of August, 1890, I took in southern Michigan a good female
of Apatura clyton. I do not know that it has been reported before from
Michigan. The fact that it is the only one I have ever taken, and that I
took it on ground that I have worked over for several years, made it quite
noticable tome. I had gathered together a lot of ripe pairs, put them
in a pile, and had crushed them as a bait for Graptas and Limenitis ursuda.
This Apatura was taken on the crushed pears with those mentioned.—
I. N. MircHELL, Fond du Lac, Wis.
A SAvANT’s HorrisBLE DEATH.—Algiers, May 18th. The French
savant, M. Kunckel Herculais, the president of the ethnological society,
who was employed on the government mission of investigating the locust
plague in this province, has met with a horrible death. While examining
a deposit of locusts’ eggs at the village of Sidieral he was overcome with
fatigue and the heat, and fell asleep on the ground. While sleeping he
was attacked by a swarm of locusts. On awakening he struggled des-
perately to escape from the flood. He set fire to the insect-laden bushes
near him, but all his efforts proved ineffectual, and, when finally the
locusts left the spot, his skeleton was found, together with his hair, beard
and necktie. The rest of him had been entirely devoured. Mr. Herculais
was a member of the French Academy, and the author of several valuable
works on insects.
Psyche confederata G. and R. has been quite abundant for two years
past on the grounds of the Ohio State University, Columbus. I infer,
from references made to it by Mr. H. G. Hubbard, in “‘ Insects Affecting —
the Orange,”’ 1885, that it is not known to be widely distributed or com-
mon elsewhere.—D. S. KEL.icott, Columbus, Ohio.
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 123
_ THE LAST SEASON was not a very propitious one for collecting lepidop-
tera in this country, and most’of my collectors did only fairly well. Mr.
Bruce succeeded in obtaining some of the rarer Arctians, Cossidz and
Bombycidz in Colorado. Mr. Bean, of Laggan, raised the beautiful
Colas elis J\'and 2, Antarctia Beanii Neumg., etc., from the larve, and
captured a new Chionobas, coming very near subhyalina Curt. My col-
lector on the upper Indian River, Fla., caught several specimens of the
handsome sphinx Dilophonota caicus Cr., which will have to be added
to our fauna. So far the latter insect has only been obtained in Hayti,
Honduras and some parts of South America.—B. NEUMOEGEN.
_ Messrs. Fox and Johnson arrived in Philadelphia, Thursday, May 14th,
after a successful collecting tour in Jamaica. They saw one specimen of
Papilio homerus, but did not succeed in capturing it.
Prof. I. N. MITCHELL reports Vanessa californica as having been taken
at Fond du Lac, Wis.
Mr. H. F. Wickuam left May oth for a collecting tour in Alaska. He
expects to be gone until September. ;
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Insects have been named for A. F. Winn, W. C. Wood, F. H. Hillman,
T. W. Glover and E. B. Southwick.
Entomological Literature.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, I8gI,
pt. I, 178 pp. 9 plates.—Notes on the Genitalia of a Gynandromorphous
Eronia hippia, by Geo. T. Baker. A monograph of British Braconide,
pt. 4, by Rev. Thomas A. Marshall. African Micro-Lepidoptera, by Right
Hon. Lord Walsingham. New species of moths from southern India, by
Col. Chas. Swinhoe. Conspicuous effects on the Markings and Coloring
of Lepidoptera caused by exposure of the pupa to different temperature
conditions, by Fred. Merrifield.. On some recent additions to the list of
South African butterflies, by Roland Trimen.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF NORTH AMERICA, by W. H. Edwards; third
series, pt. 11.—This contains the life-histories of Apatura flora, Satyrus
meadit and Chionobas chryxus, illustrating eggs, larva, chrysalids and
imagos. Mr. Edwards is to be congratulated in having reared C. chryxus
successfully, and giving such a beautiful illustration of the life-history of
a genus which so little had been known of the earlier stages previous to’
the publication of his work.
124 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL Society OF LONDON, 1890, pt. 4.
—On the Heteromerous Coleoptera collected by Mr. W. Bonny in the’
Aruwimi Valley, by G. C. Champion.
West AMERICAN SCIENTIST, January, 1891.—A new Rhaphiomidas
from California, R. acton, by D. W. Coquillett.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF NEw SouTH WALES, 2d
series, vol. v, pt. 1st.—Contributions towards a knowledge of the Cole-
optera of Australia, No. 6. New Lamellicornia and Longicornia, by A.
Sidney Oliff. A revision of the Australian genus Ogyris, with descrip-
tion of a new species, by B. W. H. Miskin. Descriptions of hitherto
undescribed Australian Lepidoptera (Rhopal.), principally Lyczenidz, by
W. H. Miskin. Diptera of Australia, pt. 8, the Tipulide longipalpi, by
Fred. A. A. Skuse. Note on Danais petilia Stoll., by H. H. Miskin.
Notes on Australian Coleoptera, with descriptions of new species, pt. 6,
by Rev. T. Blackburn. Studies in Australian Entomology. No. 3.—On
Promecoderus and allied genera (Carabidz), by T. G. Sloane.
BroLocia CENTRALI-AMERICANA.—Coleoptera, vol. ii, part 1, by D.
Sharp; vol. iv, pt. 3, by D. Sharp; vol. vi, p. 1; supplement, by M. Jacoby;
vol. vii, by H. S..Gorham. Hymenoptera, vl. ii, by P. Cameron. Le-
pidoptera-Rhopalocera, vol. ii, by T. D. Godman and O. Salvin. Lepid-
optera-Heterocera, by H. Druce.
DREISSIGSTER BERICHT DES NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHEN VEREINS
FUR SCHWABEN UND NEuBuRG (a. V.), 1890.—The macrolepidoptera of
the vicinity of Kempten and Algaus: A contribution to the Bavarian le-
pidopterous fauna, by O. von Kolb, 2d edition.
Lr NaTuRALISTE, April 1, 1891.—Diagnoses of new Lepidoptera* by
P. Dognin.
MATERIAUX POUR LA FAUNE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DES FLANDRES COLE-
OPTERES, 4me Centurie, by A. P. de Borre.
MoniTorE ZooLocico ITALIANO (Florence), II, No. 3.—On pseudo-
parasitism of the larva of the Mosquito ( Culex pipiens), by R. Blanchard.
BIOLOGISCHES CENTRALBLATT, March 15, 1891.—The glands of the
first abdominal segment of the insect embryo, by J. Carriere.
NoTES FROM THE LEYDEN MusEvuM, xii, No. 4, October, 1890.—De-
scription of two new species of the genus Poferiophorus Sch., of the
family Curculionidz,* by W. Roelofs. Description of a new species of
Elateridz,* by E. Candéze. Three new Malayan Longicorn Coleoptera,*
by C. Ritsema Cz.
JOURNAL DE L’ ANATOMIE ET DE LA PHYSIOLOGIE NORMALES ET PATH-
OLOGIQUES DE L’ HOMME ET DES ANIMAUX, xxvii, No. 1, Paris, 1891.—
Abstract genealogy of Arthropoda, by Dr. L. A. Segond.
BIOLOGISCHES CENTRALBLATT, April 1, 1891.—On the biology ot —
by C. Emery.
* Contains new species other than North American.
[1891. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 125
CompTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, March 7,
1891.—Description of new Hesperidz,* by P. Mabille; Odina, Nyctus n.
gen.; Carystus abalus n. sp. Merida, Colombia. Descriptions of Coleop-
tera of the mountains of Kashmir (continued), by L. Fairmaire; Hedco-
phorus Saloninys n. gen. Description of a new species of the genus Lath-
ridius Herbst., M.-J. Belon. On some Histeride collected in Bengal,*
_by G. Lewis. Dascillidee and Malacoderma of western Bengal,* by M. J.
Bourgeois. Note on the Hemiptera of Bengal,* by L. Lethierry. Ento-
mological miscellanies* : I. Phytophaga of the Isle of Java; I]. New, or
little-known Phytophaga,* by A. Duvivier; Si#éimia n. gen. New Bu-
prestidz and synonymic remarks,* by C. Kerremans.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, April 6, 1891.—On the development at the
central nerve system in Blatta germanica, by N. Cholodkovsky. On the
development of the wing nerves of butterflies, by Dr. E. Haase.
ATTI DEL REALE ISTITUTO VENETO DI SCIENZE, LETTERE ED ARTI,
xxxviii, Venize, 1889-90.—Revision of the Italian Acarofauna: family
Ixodini, by G. Canestrini; 3 plates; Hevpetobia n. gen.
-ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, No. 7, April, 1891.—On the
Orthopterous family of the Prochilidz,* by Dr. F. Karsch; 4 figs., Simo-
dera, Mastighapha, Polycieptis n.-gen. On the fauna of Mecklenburg
(Coleoptera, Lepidoptera), by H. Brauns. Miscellanea coleopterologica,*
by C. Schaufuss. 3
It NATURALISTA SICILIANO, x, No. 4 (Palermo), 1891.—Note on the
genus Reicheia Saulcy, and on a species of Dichropterus Ehlers,* by F.
Baudi. Luminous insects, by L. Failla-Tedaldi.
Le NATUuURALISTE (Paris), April 15, 1891.—Colias Wiskotti Staudinger,
and its different varieties, by M. Austaut. Description of new Micro-
Lepidoptera,* by P. Chretien.
TERMESZETRAJZI FUSETEK (Budapest), xiii, Nos. 2 and 3, December;
1890.—First addition to the Monographia Chrysididarum Orbis Terrarum
universi,* by A. Mocsary; Adelphine n. subfam., Ade/phe n. gen., A.
mexicana n. sp., Orizaba.
BULLETINO DELLA SOCIETA ENTOMOLOGICA ITALIANA, xxii, Nos. 3 and
4, 1891.—New species of Cu/ex from Zanzibar, by Dr. E. Ficalbi. New
apparatus for the study of Entomology, by C. Emery. A zoological ex-
cursion to the Friulian Lakes, and The marriages of butterflies, by Dr. A.
Senna. Diagnoses of new Arthropoda of Sardinia,* by A. Costa. Studies
on Messinese Entomology : the Cleonidz, by F. Vitale. On the odorant
organs of the Lepidoptera of the Indo-Australian region after the studies
of Dr. Erich Haase, by F. Plateau. Materials for a catalogue of the
Italian Tenthredinide, by A. Berlese. Genesis of the silk worm, by N.
G. Mukerji. On the pretended parasitism of the larva of Culex pipiens,
by E. Ficalbi. Italian Entomological Literature; Entomological Bibliog-
raphy, etc.
* Contains new species other than North American.
126 ENTOMOOLGICAL NEWS. [ June,
SITZUNGSBERICHTE, D. KAIS. AKADEMIE DER WISSENCHAFTEN (Wien) —
MATHEMATISCH-NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHE CLASSE, xcviii, heft 4-7, 89,
xcix, heft 1-3, 1890.—Monograph of the digging wasps allied to Nysson
and Bembex,* by A. Handlirsch, parts iv and v, 3 plates; Bembidula
diodonta, Orizaba, B. insidiatrix, Ky., Tex., B. capnoptera, id. and Ga., B-.
Sodiens, Ga., Tex., Stenolia scolopacea, Néev., Cal., S. tibialis, id., Mone-
dula vivida, Mex., M. dives, id., M. serrata, Ga., M. inermis, Ga., WM.
mammillata, Ga., ae Da.; A. nitiaaleta: Tex., @/. Put Cal., new North
American species.
DENKSCHRIFTEN of the preceding, lvi, 1889.—Compalallive studies on
the embryology of insects, and especially Muscidz, by V. Graber, plates
and figures.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, No. 8.—April, 1891. —A new
contribution to the knowledge of the idivenctis Coleoptera of Bucovina,
by C. v. Hormuzaki. On the fauna of Mecklenburg (Hymenoptera), by
H. Brauns. Physiological notes (Coleoptera, Hymenoptera), by C. Ver-
hoeff.
SPECIES DES HYMENOPTERES D’EUROPE ET D’ALGERIE, fondé par Ed-
mond André et continue sous la direction scientifique de Ernest André,
38e fascicule, Gray, April 1, 1891. —Braconide (continued), by Rev. T. A.
Marshall.
ComTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, April 5, ‘1891.
—Descriptions of new Hesperidz (third part),* by P. Mabille; Pamphila
subsordida, Honduras; P. puxillius, Mexico; P. asema, Honduras; P.
parilis, id. P. binaria, Merida; P. portensis, Porto Rico; n. sp. from North
America. Coleoptera from the interior of China* (seventh part), by L.
Fairmaire; Hypochrus, Hecatomnus, Cyrebion, Ariarathus, Lagriogonia,
n. gen. Provisional list of the Coleoptera Heteromera of Belgium, by
L. Coucke.
Le NaTuRALISTE (Paris), May 1, 1891.—Insects injurious to the mari-
time pines imported into the bay of the Somme, by M. Decaux. Diag-
noses of some Heterocera from Venezuela, by P. Dognin.
L’AUXILIARE DE L’APICULTEUR (Amiens), April, 1891.—Raising bees
under the influence of violet light, by A. Teynac. General notions on —
the nature and physiology of the Bee, by G. Ulivi.
Doings of Societies. °
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES was held Wednesday, April 23d, Dr.
Horn, Director, presiding. Members present: Martindale, Skinner. As-
sociates: Westcott, Nell, Calvert and Dr. Castle. Letters were read from
* Contains new species other than North American.
1891. | ' ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 127
Dr. Henri de Sassure and the Imperial Academy Leopoldino-Caroline.
Mr. Martindale reported the capture of butterflies and moths. A letter
was read from Mr. W. J. Fox, dated Kingston, Jamaica, April 15th, in
which he said he and his companion, Mr. C. W. Johnson, were having
_ fair success in collecting insects on the island. They expected to go to
Port Antonio and remain there until May 7th, when they would leave for
home. — HENRy SKINNER,
Recorder.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.—December 4, 18go.
‘The corresponding secretary read. a paper by Mr. P. R. Uhler entitled,
“Observations on some remarkable forms of Capsidz,’’ in which were
described two new genera, Heidemannia and Peritropius, represented by
one species each, viz., H. cixiiformis and P. saldeformis. The paper
also contained a note on the recent discovery by Mr. Heidemann, in the
District, of one of Say’s long-lost species, Cy/aphus tenuicornis.
Mr. Howard read a paper on the ‘‘ Parasites of the Hemerobiine,”’ in
‘which, after dwelling on the numerous protective characters of this sub-
- family of neuropterous insects, he spoke of the known hymenopterous
parasites, and added the encyrtid genus /sodromus as the only known
primary parasite in the country with the single exception of the egg para-
site mentioned by him on page to, Vol. I, of the society’s proceedings.
Several secondary parasites were mentioned, and a list of the European
parasites and hyper-parasites was given.
Mr. Marlatt presented a note in which he proposed the specific name
unicolor for a species of MWonoctenus, the larva of which feeds on the Red
Cedar. This Saw-fly had been described by him as MZ. juniperi (see
Trans. Kans. Acad. of Sciences, Vol. X, p. 82), which name was preoc-
cupied by an European species of the genus. ;
Mr. Banks read a paper on 7ha/mia parietalis Hentz, a spider which
he had taken in Texas, and which-had been lost since Hentz’s time. In
studying this species in connection with the Pholcidz, Scytodide, Fili-
statidz, Urocteridz, Euyoide and Hersilide, he reached the conclusion
that these spiders are closely related, and ought to be included in one
group of family importance for which he proposes Duges’ name Microg-
nathes changed to Micrognathidz. ;
Mr. Townsend read some notes on Tachinidz ses. Zaz., synonymical
and critical, with particular reference to the confusion of the sexes by
early describers. A good number of species were noticed and several
new ones were described.
Prof. Riley read and commented on letters from Mr. Wm. H. Ashmead,
now studying in Berlin, and Mr. S. S. Rathvon, of Lancaster, Pa. He
then read a note on an exotic roach (Ponchlora viridis ?) which he had
recently received from Dr. C. F. Gissler, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The re-
markable feature was that the roach was certainly viviparous, a habit
believed not to have been hitherto recorded of any species of the family
Blattidz. Figures of the parent roach, and of its young greatly enlarged,
128 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, ° [ June,
’ were shown. Prof. Riley gave an account also of his additional study of
Platypsyllus, in which he mentioned the discovery of a large number of
insects, mites and centipedes, which are associated with the beaver either
accidentally or as parasites or guests. He also mentioned the undeter-
mined larva described by Mrs. Julia P. Ballard in the October number of
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, p. 124, and said that he had no difficulty in rec-
ognizing the larva as that of Citheronia regalis* G. and R. He then called
attention to an interesting paper read by Prof. Forbes at the recent meet-
ing of the Association of Economic Entomologists, relating to the periods
of transformation, and to the specific characters of Lachnosterna larva.
These matters were discussed at considerable length by Prof. Riley, and
two new parasites of Lachnosterna were added to those hitherto known.
Mr. Schwarz presented a note ‘‘On the feeding habits of Empidz,”’ in
which he described the habits in this regard of a species of Syweches sim-
plex ? which was very abundant in the mountains at Ft. Pendleton, Md.,
during the first part of July. Their vertical position in flight and peculiar
method of holding their prey and of hanging by one fore-leg while de-
vouring it, were described. He also discussed the recent publication by
Ed. Fleutian and Sallé on the Coleoptera from the island of Guadalupe, —
West Indies (Ann. Soc. Ent. de France, 1889, 1890). The relation of the
species enumerated to the fauna of the United States was particularly
dwelt upon. C. L. MARLATT,
Recording Secretary.
OBITUARY
Prof. JosEpH Lerpy, M.D., died April 30, 1891, aged 68 years. Dr.
Leidy always took a warm interest in Entomology, although his writings
on the subject were principally connected with the anatomy of insects.
Among his very first contributions to’science was an article on the Mech-
anism which Closes the Membranous Wings of the genus Locusta (Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sci. 1846). Then came the important contributions, ‘‘ History
and Anatomy of the Hemipterous genus Belostoma (1847),’’ and the
“Internal Anatomy of Corydalis cornutus in its three stages of exist-
ence (1848).’’ He collected micro-lepidoptera in his earlier years, and
there are many specimens in the collection of the Entomological Section
of the Academy of Natural Sciences, which he presented. Dr. Leidy ~
was elected a member of the American Entomological Society, Feb. 8,
1864.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws for May was mailed April 27, 1891.
C. sepulcralis ? —Eb.
Ent. News, Vol. II. beg PG
HENRY EDWARDS.
a mie
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FITOMOLOCICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. II. SEPTEMBER, 18or. No. 7.
SONTENTS:
Henry Edwards. ........10:csireceeceseeerer enone 129 | Skinner—Elementary Entomology. ....- 137
“Wickham—Through the Pinal Mts...... 130 | Notes.and NewS....-rvs-socesecce sevscerevessee 138
Rowley—Notes on Colias czesonia....- .. 133 Entomological Titeeahioel Oe Sareitns ane Pena I4L
Hamilton—Lachnosterna......----.---+---.-- 135 Doings of SOCi€ti€S....-.++--sseserseres iionks 146
HENRY EDWARDS.
HENRY Epwarps, the well-known entomologist and actor,
died in New York, June 9, 1891. He had been ill for a couple
‘of months previous, and the immediate cause of death was heart
failure, due to dropsy. Mr. Edwards was an Englishman by
birth, and first saw the light in Herefordshire, England, in 1830.
He studied law in early life, but a fondness for commercial enter-
prise led him into a London counting-house, where Walter Mont-
gomery and John L. Toole were fellow clerks. Amateur acting
engrafted professional endeavor, and in connection with Mont-
gomery, Mr. Edwards made his first appearance as ‘‘ Rudolf,”’
‘in Byron’s Wonder. In 1853 he bade farewell to the desk and
sailed for Melbourne. Under Mr. Doubleday’s auspices he had
already commenced the pursuit of insect hunting, and had formed
the nucleus of a collection destined to grow in a manner of which
he had never dreamed. Mr. Edwards was well known as an
actor, having been with different companies in Australia, Peru,
Panama, California, Boston, etc. In 1879 he was engaged by.
the late Lester Wallack as a member of his stock company, and
7
130 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
became stage manager of the theatre. After the disbandment
of the Wallack company he again went to Australia as a manager
for A. M. Palmer’s Little Lord Fauntleroy organization, re-
turning last year to join Augustin Daly’s company. His last
appearance was in New York in the part of ‘‘ Sir Oliver” in The
School for Scandal.
As an entomologist, Mr. Edwards will best be remembered by
his work on the Lepidoptera of California and the Pacific coast,
‘“Studies on North American Aegeridz,’’ and his last important
contribution, ‘* Bibliographical Catalogue of the described Trans- —
”
formations of North American Lepidoptera.’’ He was a member
of many scientific societies, and had many friends and correspon-
dents. Three volumes of ‘‘ Papilio’? were edited by him, after
which it passed into the hands of Mr. E. M. Aaron. We present
a fine portrait of Mr. Edwards, knowing that he had many cor-
respondents that admired and loved him, yet never had the pleas-
ure of seeing his face.
e)
Vv
THROUGH THE PINAL MOUNTAINS.
By H. F. Wickuam, Iowa City, Ia.
A week spent in collecting beetles in the Pinal range of moun-
tains proved so enjoyable that the writer feels tempted to write a
short account of one of his trips, in order to try to impart to the
readers of Ent. NEWS some small part of the pleasure to be ~
gained in the retrospect. In truth, the life of the professional
collector in an unsettled or sparsely inhabited country, does not
partake to any great extent of the nature of a picnic, as some
would have it—hard work, and plenty of it, is his portion when
in the field.
The range mentioned may be Gand on any good map of
Arizona, and lies north of Tucson, that part of it which we col-
lected over being included between the Gila and Salt Rivers. To
be more exact, our route lay over an old trail from the Gila River,
up the cafion of Mineral Creek for some distance, thence across
the foot-hills and over the summit of the range, descending on
the other side to the mining town of Globe. This course, taking
us through several quite distinctly marked belts of vegetation at
various altitudes, proved quite productive of insects.
.
oS
¥ = 4
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 131
The start was made on horseback, and for a little while most
of the attention had to be directed towards the burros, to whose
backs the pack had long been a stranger. But with increased
sobriety in the burros came increased opportunity for collecting,
and we soon had some very pretty things in the cyanide bottle—
the first captures being a set of one of our prettiest Chrysomelids,
Urodera crucifera Lec. They were taken on the wing, having
evidently been disturbed by the irresponsible pack animals brush-
ing against the shrubs by the sides of the narrow trail. A few
examples of Megalostomis subfasciata Lec. were added to our
collections in the same way.
Stopping for a mid-day lunch at an abandoned stamp-mill,
where a well yielded water enough for the animals, we made a
hasty examination of the vicinity with the following results :
Amara californica and a Blapstinus, in great numbers under
leaves of Cottonwood, which had drifted into little hollows, a few
Monocrepidius and an LEsthesopus or two under boards; one or
two examples of Mycocoryna lineolata Stal. on weeds with Exema
conspersa, and an occasional Euryscopa or Pachybrachys. Not
very encouraging yet, but then there were the foot-hills just in
front of us, rising one behind the other, each a little higher than
the one before it, and covered, ‘as far as we could see, with bear
grass and mescal, the latter with its great clusters of yellow, -
strong-scented flowers lifted high above our heads. On these we
hope to find many an interesting ‘insect, and we are not disap-
pointed. First we see one of those curious weevils, Zygops
Seminiveus resting near the end of a mescal leaf, but he loses hold
and rolls down the inclined surface until stopped near the axil by
the base of the leaf above. As the leaves are very large, stiff,
and armed along the edges with stout, curved spines or thorns,
it is a delicate piece of work to extricate an insect without lacer-
ating the hand badly, and possibly my method may prove useful
‘to others who have no cutting tool with them but a jack-knife.
Cut off the terminal spine first, then run the knife along the full
length of the leaf, far enough from the margin to take all the
other spines off clean. Now, treat all the other leaves in the
same way and the insects are at your mercy. The Zygops may
be chased from one leaf to another, for they are rather nimble,
until in a spot where they can be grasped with the fingers or
forceps. Many other beetles are found near the base of the stalk,
a
132 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS: [September,
either hiding in the axils of the leaves or burrowing in the stalk
itself. Among them are the following: Philophuga amoena, Car-
pophilus floralis, Clerus spinole, Tragidion sp., Mecysmus an-
gustus, Hymenorus confertus, Hyporhagus gilensis and Scypho-
phorus acupunctatus, the last named boring in and around the
bases of the flower-stalk and leaves. At about this altitude we
find Aszda parallela under dead, uprooted plants. The bear-grass
furnishes a few examples of J/egalostomis, and an occasional
Urodera.
Entering the belt of oak scrub higher up the fauna changes,
and the most striking species are small insects living on the leaves,
or predaceous; some of them are Ledia viridis, Scymnus mar-
ginicollis, S. pallens, Anthaxia flavimana, Pseudebeus bicolor,
Attalus difficilis, Chlamys polycocca, Pachybrachys abdominalis,
Cryptocephalis n. sp., Babia tetraspilota, Diachus auratus, Xan-
thonia villosula, Hemiphrynus intermedius, Notoxus bifasciatus,
two or three species of Apion, and Smicronyx seriatus. These
are not all confined exclusively to oak, and some of them prob-
ably do not live on it at all, but they may be taken by beating the
shrubs, which are in great part some species of oak. Ona Le-
guminous plant (probably a locust) many specimens of a queer
ittle Rhynchophore, Zachygonus centralis, were captured. The
hind legs are strong and saltatorial, though the insect is not as
accomplished a jumper as most of our Halticini. At dusk a
Listrochelus or two, and a single Polyphylla, came flying past and
were added to the spoils.
After reaching the pine belt proper, there is still rineidiae change
in the fauna. Here, under logs and slabs, are to be found Pter-
ostichus lustrans, Calathus dubius, Platynus brunneomarginatus,
Chrysomela auripennis, Eleodes carbonaria, extricata, gentilts,
Embaphion contusum, Celocnemis punctata, Asida macra and
others, while along the little shaded streams ARhyncheros sanguini-
pennis may be seen flying. In and around the piles of slabs left
by the lumbermen are numerous lignivorous beetles—Lucanus
mazama, Ergates spiculatus, Carebara longula, Cossonus crenatus,
Pityophthorus nitidulus, Tomicus confusus and Hylastes gracilis.
From the small pines and other evergreens a few Chrysobothris
cuprascens and a Magdalis were taken by beating.
Sifting dead leaves in damp places yielded a lot of 7richopteryx
hornii and Quedius desertus. n the little pools were plenty of
)
prtee
I it
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 133
flydroporus vilis and Agabus lugens, with occasionally an exam-
ple of some rarer forms, and on the banks a number of Bem-
bidium mexicanum, a not particularly agile species in that climate.
_ The spot was left with considerable regret, though a scarcity
of provisions in the commissary department made this more nec-
essary,—and if the specimens were not so numerous as might be,
they were of sufficient interest to more than compensate for any
failings in point of numbers.
va.
Notes on Colias ce@sonia.
By Prof. R. R. Row Ley, Curryville, Mo.
Although c@sonia is the rarest species of Co/ias in Missouri,
yet it is fairly common some years, especially in localities where
its food-plant is abundant. Toward the latter part of May I have
taken numbers of it at red clover blossom in July, and August at
thistle and milk-weed blooms, and late in Autumn on the flowers
of red and white clover. It is as easily taken as Philodice or -
Lurytheme, with both of which it associates at flowers, but unlike
the males of them, it never frequents damp places, ‘so far as my
observations go.
The flight of this butterfly is not noticeably different from that
of our other two species of Co/ias, yet the experienced collector
is able to detect it on the wing among numbers of other Coliads,
even at a considerable distance; the very broad and intensely
black border, outlining the peculiar ‘‘dog’s head’’ on the top of
the primaries, together with the pointed apex of the same wings,
doubtless aiding most in the identification. At rest, the roseate
underwinged females of October may be known a hundred yards
away in a clover-field. The females of the early and midsummer
broods differ from those of late Summer and Autumn in the very
pale yellow, almost white, color of the underside of all the wings.
In August this pale yellow deepens, and in early September red-
dish streaks appear along the veins of the hind wings beneath,
while in October the entire under surface of the secondaries and
the tip of the primaries are heavily streaked or solidly red. The
broad outer border of black in some females contains a few, more
or less distinct, yellow spots, as we see in the female Eurytheme
or Philodice, but a majority of the individuals entirely want these
spots, although the border is much less intense than in the males.
134 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
The color of the underside of the wings of the male is much.
deeper in Autumn than in early Summer, being a light orange,
and on the upperside of the primaries the fresh males of October
have the black outside border well covered with a beautiful dust-
ing of red scales. In examples of August males but a few scat- —
tered (red) scales are to be observed, while a careful examination
of many specimens taken in early Summer failed to show to
the writer a trace of this Autumn feature. However, hand-
bred specimens might show it, but as I have reared only late
Summer larve, I cannot settle the question. Near the base of
the front margin of the hind wing in the male is a large, oblong,
orange-colored spot of a mealy appearance. I have noticed the
same on the male of Colias eurydice.
One female, taken in August several years ago, has the ground
color of the upperside of the front wings white, an approach to
the albino, while on the upperside of the hind wings of many of
the October specimens, the dark streaks and shades from the
black border reach almost to the base of the wings.
I made the discovery of the food-plant of cesonta a number
of years ago by watching a female flitting about some bushes.
The eggs of this butterfly are laid on the underside of the ten-
der end leaflets of Amorpha fruticosa or ‘‘lead plant.’ They —
are spindle-shaped, white or pale yellow, growing darker before
hatching. The young larva is yellowish green, swollen slightly
at the head and thoracic rings and tapering to the anal extremity.
After the last molt many of the larvee become cross striped, while
others are almost unadorned. Of the two kinds of grown larve,
the one I shall designate No. 1 is dark green, with a lateral yellow
or white line along the spiracles. An orange band almost entirely
covers the pale yellow line, being broadest and most distinct in —
the middle of each segment. A bivam tinge above and below the
stripe is usually noticeable.
The underside of the body is paler than above. On rings 3
and 4 is a black dot, each, just above the stripe. Head green,
and covered with short hair. Feet green; whole body covered
thickly with small, raised black points. Each ring many wrinkled.
Length of mature larva 14% to 1% inches.
The larva No. 2 differs from No. 1 in the cross-bands of black
and bright yellow on each segment, reaching the yellow longitu-
dinal line below, and giving the larva a handsome striped appear-
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 135
-ance. The black cross-bands are either entire or broken into four
parts, following the yellow bands as shades to each. Some larvee
have the yellow without the black bands, while a few have the
black without the yellow. The pupa is three-fourths of an inch
long, plain green, with a pale lateral line. A row of small, dark
dots along each side, on the back, and a submarginal row on the
wing-cases. Length of pupal period in August is from four to
six days.. Later in the year it is much longer. Wing-sheaths of
pupa humped. Two days before the pupa gives the imago the
wings show plainly in miniature, and the dark border of the ma-
ture butterfly is here represented by a bright red band, the male
being readily distinguished from the female.
I doubt if this species feeds on any other plant than Amorpha,
as I have never observed the female depositing her eggs on any-
thing else, though many other Leguminous herbs, shrubs and
trees grow here.
Even the larger-and older shrubs of Amorpha do not seem to
be inviting to the female, and she frequents fields where the brush
has been newly cut away from the banks of brooks, and fresh,
tender shoots offer a supply of suitable food for young larve.
Here she deposits her eggs in great numbers, and here the col-
lector finds a supply of larvee. Besides cesonza, the caterpillars
of Zudamus tityrus, Hyperchiria io; an undetermined Limacodes
and another moth feed on Amorpha fruticosa, a very abundant
shrub along the prairie branches near Curryville.
oO
Lachnosterna insperata and fraterna.
By JoHN HAMILTON, Allegheny, Pa.
Lachnosterna insperata Syth.—The distribution of this
species is widely extended; examples are in my collection from
Sudbury, Ontario; Buffalo, N. Y.; and from here, as likewise
from various places in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
Prof. Smith has it from New Jersey and from Illinois. The ven-
tral characters of the male are variable; the form of the ridge on
the penultimate ventral segment of Mr. Smith’s type seems to be
an extreme in one direction, varying in a large majority of the
individuals to that of duéia, and an example occasionally occurs
which inosculates so closely with some /fusce as not to be sepa-
136 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
rable by this character. The typical zzspevata has been in my
collection from its first description, but the great mass of the ex-
amples were referred to dudza without a suspicion. There are
before me now forty male and twenty female zzsperaia, and ten
male and sixteen female dudza._ By an examination of this series
it is easy to see the males of these two species cannot in every
case be separated by the ventral characters—that is to say, the
writer cannot do it. The genital organs are usually sufficiently
distinctive, but to examine every specimen in this way is labori-
ous. The claspers in this species vary greatly in the develop-
ment of some of the parts, but in all cases observed always retain
the same pattern. As to the females, the ventral characters ap-
pear to be identical; the last ventral in each is deeply arcuately
emarginate, differing from that of fusca, which is either transverse
at the apex, or scarcely narrowed at its middle; the genitalia,
while morphologically different, are yet so similar as to be of
little practical avail to the collector. The two species are, how-
ever, readily separated by a character of zzsperata not heretofore
observed, or at least not recorded (unless zzsperata should prove
to be a synonym), namely, the hairiness of the head.
In the males there is conspicuous tuft of long yellow hairs on
the front near each eye connected by a line of shorter hairs, which
appear to be somewhat deciduous, and in some old examples are
nearly lost. In the females the tufts of hairs near the eyes are
usually shorter, and in many old specimens may, without care,
escape observation, while the connecting line is scarcely present,
except in immature or very recent examples.
The females were obtained years ago from two exchanges, la-
beled cephalica Lec., a species described as having 10-jointed
antenne and a hairy head, but placed by Dr. Horn im his recent
monograph as a race of fusca. As insperata is quite variable in
the ventral characters of the male as stated above, it seems prob-
able it may be Dr. LeConte’s cephalica, a matter that might easily
be settled by examining the genitalia of the type, a male, which
probably still exists in Dr. LeConte’s collection. In case they
prove to be different, cephadlica will likely be rehabilitated as a
species and grouped with zusperata.
L. fraterna Harris.—This species is abundant hl when its
locality is found; last season I took near two hundred examples
in a couple of nights’ collecting. The figure given by Professor
2 a ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 137
Smith in his plates of genitalia as the female of this species, is
that of zova Smith; that of fraterna is still unfigured. The pubic
process might be likened to a miniature spoon truncated near the
tip with the handle much curved and shortly furcate at the end.
2D
VU
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
The young of butterflies and moths are called caterpillars, larve
or worms. Lepidopterous insects can only be said to grow in
the caterpillar condition, and little butterflies never grow to be
big ones, as is popularly supposed. When the young caterpillar
has matured in the egg it eats its way through the shell and de-
vours more or less of the remaining shell; some species eat a hole
only large enough to let them out, and others nearly the entire
shell. Some are very slow in eating their way out, sometimes
occupying a day or two, as in some of the Hesperide. The
newly-born. caterpillar varies in size from a very minute object to
about one-quarter inch in length, according to the size of the
species. They are very voracious, and grow rapidly, changing
their skins or moulting to accommodate their -increase in size.
They are elongated, cylindrical, worm-like; some are naked and
others covered with hair. They are separable into thirteen joints
or segments, including the head. They have three pairs of short
legs, a pair on the second, third and fourth segments respectively,
and on joints seven, eight, nine, ten and thirteen have each a
pair of membranous legs armed with a circle of minute hooks
which enables them to hold on to objects. In certain large spe-
cies these are wrapped entirely around a small twig or branch of
the tree on which they feed. These last legs disappear when the
larva changes to a chrysalis. They breathe by means of stigmata
or spiracles, which are breathing holes situated on each side of
the body, which communicate with the respiratory system. When,
after feeding some days, the larva gets too big for his skin he.
seeks a convenient place and spins a little web, in which he en-
tangles his feet and remains quiet for a short period, and then
crawls out of the old skin and has an entirely new suit of clothes,
often varying greatly from the old one. This he does a varying
number of times according to the species, but it is usually four
_ or five, but may be as high as ten. Some of the species of Pam-
138 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [September,
phila undergo this change in a little tube of silk, which they spin
for the purpose. When the caterpillar reaches full growth it
seeks a place in which to change into a chrysalis or pupa. Some
species change to a naked chrysalis; some spin a cocoon inside
of leaves or sticks; others make merely a cocoon in which to
transform, and quite a number enter the ground and wriggle
around until they harden the sides of their grave or tomb until it
is virtually a cocoon in the ground.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
'
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be
‘printed according to date of reception.
—
Extras of Plate VI (portrait of Henry Edwards), on heavy paper suit-
able for framing, can be supplied at twenty-five cents each. Send order
to Treasurer, E. T. Cresson, P. O. Box 1577, Philadelphia, Pa.
THE new Check List of North American Lepidoptera by Prof. J. B.
Smith, will soon be completed. This includes Diurnals and Nocturnals.
The price will be $1.00. Send in your order early to E. T. Cresson,
Treasurer. See notice on second page of cover.
INTERNAL REVENUE PROBLEMS.—Truth is often much funnier as well
as stranger than fiction. An important public officer of Duisberg, in Ger-
many, is an ardent entomologist, and made a costly purchase of rare but-
terflies in Holland. The collection arrived in due time at the Duisberg
custom-house, where the inspectors were at a loss to know whether the
insects were dutiable or not. They finally came to the conclusion that,
inasmuch as they had wings, they must be classed as poultry, and much
explanation and expostulation were required before they could be induced
to regard them in any other light.— C7ipping.
THE collection of insects made by the late Henry Edwards, consisting
of about 300,000 specimens of all orders, and well represented in large
numbers of individuals and long suites of specimens from all parts of
the world, is for sale. It is particularly rich in Pacific coast of North
America species. A large number of Lepidoptera from this region were
described by Mr. Edwards, and his types are in the collection. Institu-
tions or private persons wishing to purchase will please address Mrs.
Henry Edwards, 185 E. 116 Street, New York, N. Y. ;
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 139
ON May 29th, near midnight, with temperature at 50° Fahr. at Franconia,
N: H., Mrs. A. T. Slosson took another fine 2 specimen of Phragmatobia _
assimilans, var. franconia Slosson.
TueE Entomological Society of Belgium, at its meeting of heey 2, 1891,
discussed the question of the value of types in Entomology. The ma-
jority of the members present expressed their ideas on the subject. The
result of the discussion was that only those specimens should be considered
as types of a species which have served to fix the description. All the
individuals which an entomologist afterwards recognizes as belonging to
a species established by him are not veritable types; they ought to have in
a collection only the note compared with the type by the author with the
date of the determination.—From the Compte Rendu. of the Society for
May 2, 1891, p. ccxlvi.
THE annual field-meeting of entomologists, under the auspices of the
societies of Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Newark, was held on July 4th at
Jamesburg, N. J., which is situated near Monmouth Junction on the Am-
boy Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The societies represented
were the Feldman Collecting Social, American Entomological Society
and Eritomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences, all of
Philadelphia; the Brooklyn Entomological Society and the Newark Ento-
mological Society. It was feared that the hail storm of the previous
evening would somewhat interfere with the pleasures of the day, but the
bright sunshine of the early morning brought sunshine into the hearts of
the ardent collectors, for Jamesburg is well known to be a favorite col-
lecting-ground. The party was met at the Jamesburg Station by convey-
ances and taken about a mile to a beautiful grove, bordering the cranberry
_ meadows, where, after a photographer had secured a picture of the entire
party, the day was spent in collecting. Ample lunch was provided and
eaten under the shade of the trees in the pretty grove. About forty per-
sons were present, among whom were H. Wenzel, P. Laurent, Dr. Castle,
Schmitz, Trescher, Hoyer, E. Wenzel, C. Boerner, I. C. Martindale, Lie-
beck, Fox, C. W. Johnson, P. Nell and H. Skivner, of Philadelphia; Jas.
S. Johnson, of Frankford, Phila.; and Messrs. Machesney, Angell, Loeffler,
Angelman, Sherman, Thompson, Ottolengui, Leng, Merkel, Roberts,
Pearsall, Davis, Baier, Hess, Dietz, Sieb and Julich, of New York, Newark
and Brooklyn. The party was looked after by Prof. J. B. Smith, of New
Brunswick, State Entomologist. The second annual meeting was a great
success, and it is hoped that many more may follow.—I. C. MARTINDALE.
The following are clipped from the daily papers :
How TWO INSECTS TALKED.—A Parisian chemist has caught two little
insects in the act of nocturnal “spirit”? rapping. They were found about
four inches apart on opposite sides of a piece of heavy wrapping paper.
Each tapped loudly with the head about six strokes a second, one answer-
ing as the other finished.
140 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
AFRICAN travelers tell of a “delicious soup” of beetles and mushrooms
made by the natives of that remarkable country.
THE fly is a quaint humorist. He can tickle a man in more places at
once than the best paid funny man going.
Now fares it sadly with the man
Whose soul doth patience lack,
When he to smite fugacious flies
Himself doth fiercely whack.
A PROFESSOR at Ann Arbor was discussing the process of fertilizing
plants by means of insects carrying the pollen from one plant to another,
and told how old maids were the ultimate cause of it all. The bumble-
bees carry the pollen; the field-mice eat the bumble-bees; therefore, the
more field-mice the fewer the bumble-bees and the less pollen and varia-
tion of plants. But cats devour field-mice, and old maids protect cats.
Therefore, the more old maids the more cats, the fewer field-mice, the
more bees. Hence, old maids are the cause of variety in plants. There-
upon a-sophomore, with a single eyeglass, an English umbrella, a box-
coat, with his trousers rolled up at the bottom, arose and asked: “I sa-a-y,
Professah, what is the cause—ah—of old maids, don’t you know?” “ Per-
haps Miss Jones can tell you,’’ suggested the Professor. ‘* Dudes!” said
Miss Jones, sharply, and without a moment’s hesitation.
A YOUNG man camping in the Sierras discovered and captured a butter-
fly of an unknown species. He sent it to the Smithsonian Institution at
Washington, and received therefor a check for fifteen hundred dollars,
with the request to make careful search for other moths of the same kind.
It was an individual of a fossil species, supposed to be extinct, and great
was the excitement among the scientists at the discovery that one of the -
race had been recently alive. Although diligent search has been made
by men paid for the service, no other specimen has been found.
‘* WILL you walk into my parlor?’ said the spider to the fly.
Well, hardly,’’ said the insect, as he winked the other eye.
‘“Your parlor has an entrance, but of exits it is shy,
So I'll stay outside in safety and remain a little fly.”
‘“AN INNOVATION.’”’—That was a great jewel Mrs. De Jones had on
last night. ‘‘ What was it?” ‘It was a live brazilian beetle with a big
diamond strapped on its back. It was trained to fly around her neck,
thus giving the effect of a diamond necklace.”’ '
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL News, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Sn
[1891. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 141
Entomological Literature.
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL History, May, 1891.—Descrip-
tions of new genera and species of Pyralidze contained.in the British Mu-
seum collection, by W. Warren. Descriptions of new species of the cole-
opterous genus Oides, by C. J. Gahan. Description of a new genus for
the reception of the North American moths hitherto referred to Telesi//a
_ of Herrich-Schaffer, by A. G. Butler.
CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD A MONOGRAPH OF THE NOCTUID OF TEM-
PERATE NorTH AMERICA.—A revision of the species of Hadena referable
to Xylophasia and Luperina, by J. B. Smith_—From Proc. U. S. National
Museum, vol. xiii, pp. 407-447. :
THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETy OF LONDON
for the year 1891, pt. 2, with 8 plates —A monograph of the Lycznid
genus Aypochrysops, with descriptions of new species, by Hamilton H.
Druce. Notes on the Lepidoptera collected in Madeira, by the late T.
Vernon Wollaston, by George T. Baker. Additions to the Carabideous
fauna of Mexico with remarks on some of the species previously recorded,
H. W. Bates. On the genus Xanthospilopteryx Wallengren, by W. F.
Kirby. The Rhynchophorous Coleoptera of Japan. Pt. 2, Apionidze and
Anthribidz, by Dr. David Sharp. The life-history of the Hessian Fly,
Cecidomyia destructor Say, by Fred. Enock. Mimetic resemblances be-
tween species of the coleopterous genera Leva and Diabrotica, by C. J.
Gahan. A list of the Heteromerous Coleoptera collected by J. J. Walker
in the region of the Straits of Gibralter, with descriptions of four new
species, by G. C. Champion.
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WEST VIRGINIA AGRICULTURAL Ex-
PERIMENT STATION.—This contains a valuable report on noxious and
beneficial insects of thirty-five pages with two plates, by A. D. Hopkins,
entomologist to the station.
THE BrITISH NOCTU2 AND THEIR VARIETIES, by J. W. Tutt, F. E. S.,
vol. i, May, 1891, with catalogue of the subclasses, families, genera, spe-
cies, varieties and principal subvarieties. This is a work of 164 pages by
one who has made a study of the causes of variation in Lepidoptera, a
subject which of late has received considerable attention, especially in
England. The literature of varieties had been greatly scattered through
numerous periodicals and other works published in different countries,
and in this volume there are collected together for ready reference by the
student. A careful study and comparison of the different forms of a spe-
cies can’t fail to be very useful in determining their exact limitations and
thus help to solve the problem as to what shall be considered a species.
The subject of variation is rapidly acquiring a literature of its own, and
the author of this work is also the editor of a journal entitled, ‘‘ The En-
tomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation.’? Mr. Tutt is anxious to
correspond with any one in this country interested in the subject.
142 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
‘“THE OsSERVER,”’ devoted to Natural History, Popular Science, Edu-
cation and General Literature, edited by E. F. Bigelow, Portland, Ct.
This interesting journal has a department devoted to Entomology under —
A. W. Pearson, of Norwich, Conn. Vol. ii, No. 7, contains a table of
Geometride for determining the species, An editorial outing, an enemy
of mosquitos. The price is fifty cents per annum.
MANUAL OF NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLIES, by C. J. Maynard (De
Wolfe, Fiske & Co., Boston, 1891). This work brings together for the
first time descriptions of all the butterflies which occur in America North
of Mexico. The literature on Lepidoptera is so scattered that only those
who have access to large natural history libraries, or are happy enough
to own an extensive library of their own, can hope to identify their speci-
mens for themselves, and this book is intended for those who do not have
these facilities. All the species listed by Mr. W. H. Edwards in his cata-
logue of 1884 are described, and some of those described since are noted
in an appendix. There are ten colored plates with about sixty figures and
numerous wood-cuts of about two hundred and fifty species illustrating
some peculiar character by which the insect may be known. The scheme
of the work is a very good one, and it can’t fail to be useful, although
there are certain faults. Comparative descriptions are only of value when
specimens are at hand, and it would be exceedingly difficult to identify
from many of the descriptions without a large amount of material, which
the beginner does not have. A number of errors have crept in, the most
noticeable of which is on plate 5, fig. 1, which represents the underside
of Synchle janats of Drury and not adie ‘
Destructive Locusts.—A popular consideration of a few of the more
injurious locusts (or ‘‘ grasshoppers’’) of the United States, together with
the best means of destroying them, by C. V. Riley, U. S. Dep’t Agric.,
Div. Ent., Bulletin No. 25.
REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST FOR 1890, by C. V. Riley, U. S. Dep’t
Agric., 26 pages, 7 plates. Contains articles on noxious insects, with
remedies against them.
CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Ot-
tawa, Canada, Bulletin No. 11, May, 1891.—Recommendations for the
prevention of damage by some common insects of the farm, the orchard
and the garden, by James Fletcher, entomologist and botanist to Dominion
Experimental Farms.
NOTES ON SOME NOCTUIDZ, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW GENERA AND
SPECIES, by John B. Smith, pp. 103-135. From Trans. Am, Ent. Soc. for
1891.
BULLETIN 82, NEW JERSEY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, by
Prof. J. B. Smith. Experiments for the destruction of the Rose-chafer,
or Rosebug.
=
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ae RAS
Revision or Homohadena Grote, by Prof. John B. Smith. From Proc.
U.S. National Museum, vol. xxiii, pp. 397-405.
Host-pLant List oF NORTH AMERICAN APHIDID&, by T. A. Williams:
Special Bulletin No. 1. University of Nebraska, Dep’t of Entomology.
AN UNDESCRIBED LARVA FROM MAMMOTH CAVE, by H. Garman. From
Bulletin of the Essex Institute, vol. xxiii, 1891.
U. S. DEPARTMENT AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY, Bull.
23.—Reports and observations in the practical work of the Division made
under the direction of the entomologist. Contains articles on injurious
insects, by Lawrence Bruner, D. W. Coquillett, Albert Koebele, Mary E.
Murtfeldt, Herbert Osborn and F. M. Webster.
Notes ON NoRTH AMERICAN MyRIAPODA OF THE FAMILY GEOPHILID&,
WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE GENERA, by O. F. Cook and G. N. Col-
lins, of Syracuse, N. Y. From Proc. U. S. National Museum, vol. xxiii,
pages 383-396.
COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INsEcTs, by Dr. W. J. Holland, 33 pp.
with a number of plates and cuts. This comprises the article on insects
in “Taxidermy and Zoological Collecting,” by W. T. Hornaday. This
article is by a practical entomologist, and will be a useful guide to the
subject. Such articles are generally written by Taxidermists who know
little about the subject.
ATTI DELLA SOCIETA VENETO-TRENTINA DI SCIENZE NATURALI RESI-
DENTE IN PApova, xii, fasc. 1, 1891.—Contribution to the embryology of
the Acari, by Dr. E. Sicher.
SITZUNGSBERICHTE D. KONIG. BOHMISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT DER WIs-
SENSCHAFTEN. MATHEMATISCH-NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHE CLASSE, ’90,
Il.—The metamorphic stages of Oxyethira costalis Curt., and a paper
on Bohemian Trichoptera,* by F. Klapalek, plates; Bohemian Thysan-
ura,* by J. Uzel.
JOURNAL DE L’ ANATOMIE ET DE LA PHYSIOLOGIE, etc., Paris, xxvii, No.
2, 1891.—Brief genealogy of the Arthropoda: Determination of the typical
forms (continued), by Dr. L. A. Segond.
BIOLOGISCHES CENTRALBLATT (Erlangen), May 1, 1891.—On the em-
bryonal plan of the blood and fat tissues of insects, and remarks on J.
Carriere’s paper on ‘‘ The Glands of the first abdominal segment of the
insect embryo,”’ by V. Graber.—July 1, 1891. Preliminary remarks on the
“International Relations’ of Ant guests, by E. Wasmann.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, May 11 and 25, 1891.—On the extremities in
the embryos of Arachnids and Insects, by Dr. A. Jaworowski.
REVUE DEs SCIENCES NATURELLES DE L ‘OUEST (Paris), No. 2, April,
1891.—The sense of sight in Arthropods, by Dr. A. Peytoureau.
* Contains new species other than North American.
144 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
Le NATURALISTE (Paris), May 15, 1891, etc.--New Lepidoptera,* by P-
Dognin; Gaujonia n. gen.—June 1. The nymph of Zelephorus rufipes,
by L. Planet; figs.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, No. 9, May, 189:.—Bvrachy-
cryptus n. gen. Cistelidee near Omophlus,* and A new Glaphyrus from
Tripoli,* by G. Quedenfeldt. Triphonid studies,* by Dr. Kriechbaumer.
A new contribution to the knowledge of the indigenous Coleoptera in
Bucovina, by C. V. Hormuzaki.—No. 10, May: Acronycta var. Bryophil-
oides, a new variety of A. strigosa F.,* by C. V. Hormuzaki. A new
Crabronid,* by C. Verhoeff.—No. 11, June: Rhizotrogus limbatipennis
Villa = furvus Germar, by Dr. G. Kraatz. Cryptid studies,* by Dr.
Kriechbaumer. A later contribution to the knowledge of indigenous
Coleoptera of Bucovina, by C. V. Hormuzaki.—No. 12, June: Diptera
from the vicinity of Treparewo, by B. Fedtschenko. Two new species
of Macrophya, by Dr. Kriechbaumer.—No. 13. July: On Dorcadion leve
Fald., by K. M. Heller. Diptera from the vicinity of Treparewo, by B.
Fedtschenko.—No. 14, July: On Oredlla schineri Lw., by V. v. Roder.
On Polyphylla, Anoxia and Cyphonotus; Three new species of Rhizotro-
gus from the Orient;* On Rhizotrogus ater, fuscus, furvus and limbati-
pennis, by E. Brenske. The Zoocecidz of Lorraine, by S. S. Kieffer.
CompTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE May 2, 1891.
—Causeries Odonatologiques, No. 4: the genera Zygonya Selys and
Schizonyx Karsch, by E. de Selys-Longchamps. Description of a new
genus of Elateride,* by E. Fletiaux; Globothorax. Additions to the
‘“ Catalogue Methodique des Elaterides connus en 1890, par E. Candéze,””
by E. Bergroth. Clavicorns from Western Bengal,* by A. Grouvelle.
Melanges Entomologiques, III, Diagnoses of Madagascan Phytophaga,*
by A. Duvivier. Second note on some Coleoptera Heteromera of Bel-
gium, by L. Coucke.
ZOOLOGISCHE JAHRBUCHER, V, No. 5, Jena, 1891.—Contributions to the
biology of the solitary flower wasps (Apidze), by H. Friese; 1 plate.
ENTOMOLOGISKE MEDDELSER, ii, Nos. 5, 6, Copenhagen, ’90.—Ph/eph-
thorus rhododactylus Marsh, by E. A. Lovendal, figs. Synonymic re-
marks, etc., on Danish Tomicini, ibid. Aenigmatias blattoides,* a new
apterous Dipter, by F. Meinert; 1 plate. Catalogue of Danish Coleop-
tera: Staphylinidz, id. New Danish Coleoptera and Hemiptera, by W.
Schlick. New Danish Lepidoptera, by H. P. Duurloo.
ABHANDLUNGEN, NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHEN VEREIN ZU BREMEN,
xii, No. 1, 1891.—Contributions to the fauna of the island of Spiekerooge,
by S. A. Poppe. Biological observations on the relations between flowers
and insects in the East Frisian Island of Norderney, by C. Verhoeff. First
contribution to the insect fauna of the North Sea island of Juist, by Dr.
Alfken.
* Contains new species other than North American.
1891.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 145
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATHIQUE DE Paris, 3€ serie, iii, No.
1, 1891.—On the locomotion of Arthropods, and Note on the lyriform
organs of Arachnids, by P. Gaubert. . :
ARCHIV FUR NATURGESCHICHTE, lvii, I, No. 1, Berlin, t891.—On the
origin and cause of the absence of wings in the females of many Lepid
optera, by L. Knatz; 1 plate.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE LINNEENNE DE NORMANDIE, 4€ serie, v, I.
Caen, 1891.—Note on Phalena hyemata, parasite on the apple tree, "4
Drs. Huet and Louise.
MonITORE ZOOLOGICcO ITALIANO, ii, 5, Florence, 1891.—Anatomico-
physiological note on some Ixodini, by A. Batelli.
MITTHEILUNGEN AUS DEM NATURHISTORISCHEN MUSEUM IN HAMBURG,
viii, 1891.—Revision of the scorpions, I. Fam. Androctonidz, by Dr. K.
Kraepelin; 2 plates; new genera and species.
ARCHIVES DE BIOLOGIE, x, 4, Paris, etc., 1891.—Researches on the walk
of insects and Arachnids, by J. Demoor; 3 plates.
Compte RENDv. L’ ACADEMIE DES SCIENCEs (Paris), July 6, 1891.—The
Flight of Insects studied by Photochronography, by M. Marey.
STAVANGER MusEuM, AARSBERETNING for 1890, Stavanger, 1891 (?).—
Contribution to the knowledge of Norse Coleopterous Fauna,* by T. Hel-
liesen. List of Coleoptera (Carnivori, Palpicornes and Amphibii) found
near Jaederen in 1890, id:
VERHANDLUNGEN DES NATURHISTORISCHEN VEREINS DER PREUSSI-
CHEN RHEINLANDE, WESTFALENS UND DES REG.-BEZIRK OSNABRUCK,
xlvii, Bonn, 1890.—The gall-flies and galls of Siegerland,* by E. H. Rub-
saamen; 4 plates. A fourth German species of Atypus, by Dr. P. Bertkau.
SOBRE LA CARPOCAPSA SALTITANS WESTW. Y LA GRAPHOLITA MOTRIX
BERG. n. sp.* por el Dr. Carlos Berg.—Extract from Anales Sociedad
Cientifica Argentina xxxi, 1891.
REVUE SCIENTIFIQUE DU BOURBONNAIS, 4e, Annee, No. 6, June, 1891.
—The Orthoptera of the Allier, by E. Olivier.
BOLLETINO DEI MUSEI DI ZOOLOGIA ED ANATOMIA COMPARATA D. R.
UNIVERSITA Di TORINO, Nos. 94, 97, 102, 1891.—New species of Diptera
from the Zoological Museum of Turin,* by Dr. E. Giglio-Tos; No. 102
contains twelve new Mexican species of various genera.
MITTHEILUNGEN DER NATURFORSCHENDEN GESELLSCHAFT IN BERN,
Nos. 1244-1264, 1891.—Contribution to the Tipulid Fauna of Switzerland,*
by Dr. E. Bergroth.
UTILITE DES ABEILLES EN HorTICULTURE; par V. Brandicourt,
- Amiens, 1891.
* Contains new species other than North American.
146 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
ComPTE RENDU. SOCIETE DE BIOLOGIE (Paris), June 20, 1891.—On the
abdominal nerve chain of A/elolontha vulgaris, by A. Binet. Fungi para-
sitic on Acridium, by J. K. d*Herculais, C. Langlois, A. Girard. July 9:
The disposition of the connectives in sub-intestinal nerve chain of Me/o-
lontha vulgaris, by A. Binet.
ARCHIVES ITALIENNES DE BIOLOGIE, xv, 2, Turin, 1891.—Spermato-
genesis of Bombyx mori, by E. Verson. The glandular hypostigmatic
cells in Bombyx mori, by E. Verson and E. Bisson.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE, iii, 10, July, 189%; Ame
wax of Bees, by A. and P. Buisine.
IL NATURALISTA SICILIANO (Palermo), x, 6, 7, March, April, 1891 anes
new Hymenoptera from Sicily, by T. De-Stefani. Catalogue of the Co.
leoptera of Sicily, by E. Ragusa.
VERHANDLUNGEN DES NATURFORSCHENDEN Venice IN BRUNN,
xxviii, 1890.—Identification table of the Hydrophilidz of Europe, Wiest
Asia and North Africa, by A. Kuwert.
JENAISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFT, XXV, 3, 4, Jena, 1891. af
Honeydew: A biological study on plants and plant-lice, by Dr. M. ae
2 plates.
ARBEITEN AUS DEM ZOOLOGISCH-ZOOTOMISCHEN INSTITUT IN WURzZ-
BURG, x, I, Wiesbaden, 1891.—On the genital characters of insects, by F.
Leydig; 2 figures.
ARBEITEN AUS DEM ZOOLOGISCHEN INSTITUTE DER UNIVERSITAT WIEN
UND DER ZOOLOGISCHEN STATION IN TRIEST, ix, 2, Wien, 1891.—The
coxal glands of the Arachnoidea, by R. Sturany; 2 plates.
BIBLIOTHECA ZOOLOGICA II: Verzeichniss der Schriften tiber Zoologie
welche in den periodischen Werken enthalten und vom Jahre, 1861-1880,
selbstandig erschienen sind, . . . von Dr. O. Taschenberg, gte lieferung
signatur 321-360, Leipzig, Engelmann, 1891.—A list of the writings on
Zoology from 1861 to 1880, which have appeared separately-or in periodi-
cal journals. This lieferung finishes the insects (Coleoptera), includes the
Molluscoidea, and begins the Mollusca.
MATERIAUX POUR LA FAUNE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DU LIMBOURG. COLE-
OPTERES, 4me Centurie, par A. P. de Borre, Hasselt, 1891.» 5
Doings of Societies.
A REGULAR STATED MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCEs was held at the Hall, S. W. cor. —
Nineteenth and Race Streets, May 28, 1891, Dr. Horn, Director, in the
chair. Members present: Cresson, Martindale, Laurent, Skinner, Bullock
and Ridings; Associates: Seeber, Johnson, Fox, Westcott and Nell; Mr.
Bird, of Rye, N. Y., visitor. A paper entitled, ‘‘ Revision of the genera and
;
eS epee
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 147
species of ‘Anthonomini of Boreal America,’’ by W. G. Dietz, M.D., was
presented for publication. Mr. Martindale stated that five volumes of
Kirby’s Catalogue of Heterocera were in press. Dr. Skinner spoke of the
importance of the work, and said it would greatly stimulate the study of the
moths. Mr. Martindale also discussed the question of the proper classifi-
cation of Diurnal Lepidoptera, and mentioned some of the classifications
now in use. Dr. Horn said that a working collection should be arranzed_
for convenience of study. Dr. Skinner exhibited a caterpillar and chrysalis
of Danais archippus; the former transformed into a chrysalis during the
meeting. Mr. C. W. Johnson, exhibited the Diptera which he had -re-
cently collected in Jamaica. He had found different species represented
on the north and south sides of the island. Some of the species captured
he had also taken in Florida. Insect life was scarce at Kingston on ac-
~ count of the dry weather, but insects were more abundant at Port Antonio,
where the rainfall is usually greater. The natives stated that collecting
was best during the month of July. He took about ninety-seven species,
which were exhibited. Mr. W. J. Fox exhibited the Hymenoptera col-
lected in Jamaica; they numbered ninety-one species, fifteen of which
were probably new to science. One torn specimen of Papilio homerus
had been seen. Mr. Martindale read an extract from a paper by Dr.
_ Leidy, published some years ago, on “‘ Insects Injurious to Shade Trees.”’
He also spoke of the scarcity of insects at the present time. Dr. Horn
_ stated that he was about finishing his paper on Agrilus.—Meeting heid
June 8th, Dr. Horn presiding. Members present: Ridings, Bullock, Blake,
Martindale, Skinner; Associates: Calvert, Fox, Westcott, Johnson, Nell.
A paper on Jamaica Hymenoptera by Wm. J. Fox, was presented for pub-
Ifeation. Dr. Horn stated, in regard to his paper on Agrilus, that he had
about decided to discard a certain species from the list, specimens of which
were in the collection of the Society and his own received from the late
Mr. Wilt. Having received the same species from Dr. Riley, with the
authentic label Florida, it must be included. He had at first thought the
species, from its appearance, was probably exotic. He also mentioned
seeing in Mr. Seeber’s collection a specimen of Agrilus walsinghami
labeled Texas, and doubted the locality being correct, as the home of the
species was in the Northwest. He had recently received specimens from
some of the intermediate points, thus showing that the southern locality
was probably correct. Mr. Martindale spoke of a note in the June number
of the News, p. 122, that Psyche confederata had been found in abun-
dance at Columbus, Ohio, by Prof. Kellicott. Mr. M. had found it in
some numbers back of George’s Hill in Fairmount*Park, Philadelphia.
HENRY SKINNER, “Recorder.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.—January 8, 1891.
The annual meeting of the Society was held at the residence of Prot. C.
V. Riley, and the officers for the past year were re-elected, as follows:
President, George Marx; Vice-Presidents, C. V. Riley and L. O. How-
ard; Corresponding Secretary, C. H. Tyler Townsend; Recording Secre-
148 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, ©
tary, C. L. Marlatt; Treasurer, B. P. Mann; Executive Committee, EWA.
Schwarz, Otto Heidemann, W. H. Fox. The President, Dr. Marx, de-
livered an address on ‘‘ The Spiders of the District of Columbia,” in which
he discussed at length the value of local lists as a means of forming a
comprehensive knowledge of the fauna of a country. He referred to the
somewhat scanty literature in this country of this nature as compared with
that of Europe, giving also a bibliography of the more important writings
on Aranez of both this country and Europe, and concluded with a list of
the spiders found to occur in the District.
The address was discussed by Messrs. Riley, Fernow, Marx, Schwarz,
Smith, Dodge, Banks and others.
The thanks of the Society was voted Dr. Marx for his address.
February 5, 1891.—Mr. Schwarz called attention to. certain Micro-lepid-
optera which bred in the fruit of Sodanum carolinense, stating that he had
bred Gelechia beneficentella, and referred to the fact that no similar in-
sects were known to breed in the fruit of cultivated potato.
Dr. Marx spoke of the spiders of the genus Pholcus, of which nine spe-
cies occur in this country as against one or two found in Europe. He
exhibited specimens of the American species.
Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of Casnonia ludoviciana found this
Winter in great abundance near Washington, D. C., and remarked on the
distribution and habits of this insect.
Prof. Riley laid before the Society an interesting card which he had re-
cently.received from Mr. McLachlan referring to the Plepharocerid larve
mentioned at the previous meeting of the Society. Mr. McLachlan fully
confirmed Prof. Riley’s reference of the larvz in question.
Mr. Townsend read a paper ona remarkable new Hippoboscid received
from Dr. Alfredo Duges, Guanajuato, Mexico, which had been taken on
a bat. It was described as 7richobius n. gen. dugesii n. sp.
Mr. Townsend also presented a paper on a Muscid, bred from swine
dung, which he described, in its larval and imago stages, as Cleigastra
suisterei n. sp. This case of breeding had shown a larval hibernation, and
Mr. Townsend expressed the belief that in more northern latitudes most
coprophagus Diptera (Hematobia, Lucilia, etc.) winter equally as larve
or pupze, and only exceptionally as perfect flies.
These papers were discussed by Messrs. Riley, Fox, Banks, Schwarz,
Marlatt and Townsend.
C. L. Marvatt, Recording Secretary.
ENTOMOLOGICAL News for June was mailed May 29, 1891.
:
P}. VII.
Ent. News, Vol. IT.
LUO
y
CALIGO aTREUS (‘Ow Lt BuTTERFLY.’
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. II. OCTOBER, 1801. No. 8.
CONTENTS:
Explanation of Plate VIL........0.0+-.--s0+ 149 | Skinner—Elementary Entomology. ..... 157
Neumoegen—Aberrations and varieties Skinner—Random notes on Lepidoptera 158°
Of well-known insccts.....cccecceeseeeeee 150 | Townsend—An Exorista parasitic on
Beutenmuller—Early stages of some Lagoa opercularis,.......ssssseceseereerese 159
ett Ee etas cs scxsasn <ccseoqesscccccen 152 | Notes.and News......campeassesss Shpocscwteces 160
WEN ROCKG fers sccvernress.ccccccceveesses ooo 000 153 | Entomological Literature,............--...+. 164
Hudson—A new Gluphisia..........-++-++++ 155 | Doings of Societies.......0......s0sssessescseess 168
Holland—A new Grophzla from Colo.. 156
Plate VII represents the so-called ‘‘ Owl Butterfly.’’ This
‘individual specimen is Cadigo atreus, and flies in America in the
Equatorial region. The underside photographed, looks very
much like an owl, the ocelli representing the eyes, and the various
shadings of brown representing the feathers. Insect collectors
frequently represent the body of the owl by other lepidopterous
insects, or in some cases brilliant Coleoptera, and use a species
of Caligo for the head, thus making a pleasing picture. There
are about twenty-five species in the genus, and they are all fine,
large insects, some of them very beautiful, but not so brilliantly
colored as the allied genus Morfho. They fly in Mexico and
Central America, and in Tropical South America. They are
represented in the East Indies by an allied genus, Thaumantis,
which also contains large and beautiful butterflies of a dozen
species. The specimen represented is, unfortunately, somewhat
broken, but shows the character of the underside of the fly very
well. This also shows the utility of the orthochromatic process,
as this species has colors on the underside which would not be
shown in an ordinary plate.
This plate, like others we have given in the News, was made
by the Crosscup & West Engraving Company of Philadelphia,
8
150 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
and the butterfly was photographed in the Hall of the Academy
by Mr. J. F. Sachse, the talented editor of thé ‘‘ American Jour-
nal of Photography,’ to whom we are indebted for it.—Ep,
on
Vv
Some wonderful aberrations and varieties —
of well-known insects.
By B. NEUMOEGEN, New York.
There is a German fairy tale about ‘‘ Hans im Gliick,”’ of which
I am forcibly reminded. I have been of late such a ‘‘lucky
Hans,’’ acquiring a number of remarkable varietal and aberratic
insects which deserve names, and the knowledge of which I here-
with beg to impart to my entomological friends. I never sat
down with more pleasure to describe new insects than I did in
naming the following forms :
Eacles imperialis ab. punctatissima.— Head, thorax and abdomen bright
yellow, with purple patagize, purple thoracical maculations and overcast
with purple on upper part of abdomen. Primaries above: the yellow only
shows somewhat at apex, apical part of costa, at intersection of nervures
and exterior margin, and at fringes. The entire wings covered with in-
numerable blackish brown dots, which, near base and along interior mar-
gin, are confluent, giving the wings a uniform appearance of blackish
brown. A basal purple tinge at interior margin. The purple maculations
along exterior margin bounded by the transverse arched line from apex
to centre of interior margin, as well as the discal spot, surrounded by a
purple ring penetrating the granulated shade. Secondaries: upper part
from base along costa to apex bright yellow; the space enclosed by the
purple mesial line, and even beyond it, enclosing discal area up to base,
covered with countless dots, giving the lower aalf of wings nearly a uni-
form appearance of blackish brown. Discal spot prominent, with purple
ring and a purple basal tinge; fringe yellow.
Below: basal half of primaries and secondaries, as well as abdomen,
bright yellow; the remaining space of both wings, as well as the discal
spots, blackish brown produced by the many dots, partly confluent, of
this color. Basal half of costa of ase and costa of secondaries,
blackish brown; fringes yellow.
Type % coll. B. Neumoegen.
This extraordinary insect Was taken by Mr. H. Saenger at
Highbridge, in the upper part of New York City.
Eacles imperialis var. nobilis.—Males above: thorax and abdomen dark —
purple. Antennz, head, as well as a central thoracical line and a cross-
band at first segment of abdomen, of brownish yellow. Primaries and
[1891. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 51
secondaries of a deep russet color; fringes and all maculations of dark
purple, strewn with black dots, much like in var. didyma DeB., thus
showing an irregular, triangular space of deep russet resting with its base
on apical half of costa pointing towards median nervure and bounded by
the discal spot and transverse apical arched line respectively. Seconda-
ries of a rich russet, with discal spot; mesial undulating band and basal
tinge of dark purple; some black dots along marginal area.
Below: wings and abdomen of a lighter russet shade. Discal spots,
space between apical, arched transverse line and external margin of pri-
maries of dark purple, fading towards interior margin. The marginal
space of secondaries between mesial band and exterior margin of brownish
purple.
Females.—The same rich russet as in the males prevails, but only the
discal spots, the transverse apical, arched band of primaries, the mesial
band o} secondaries and the basal tinges are of dark purple. The mar-
ginal spheres in both wings resembling var. didyma, are of a bright
chestnut-brown. Below: both wings russet, with light brown marginal
sphere, somewhat fading into yellow in basal half of interior margin of
primaries.
This is a remarkable variety from southwestern Texas; con-
stant in all its characters, as shown by a number of examples
I have lately received.
Types, 6 and 9, coll. B. Neumoegen.
Citheronia regalis ab. Saengeri.— Head, thorax and abdomen bright sul-
phur. Primaries grayish purple, with yellow nervures. Basal and discal
dots very large and like the transverse intercellular, oval maculations of
bright sulphur; apical part of costa and interior margin bright sulphur,
fringes equally so at intersection of nervures. Secondaries uniformly
bright sulphur, with a slight orange, basal tinge and faint indications of
grayish purple transverse maculations in cells near anal angle,
Below: primaries of bright sulphur, with a slight orange tinge along
nervures. Discal spot and marginal space from apex to outer angle, as
well as the two upper cells near centre of costa, of grayish purple. Sec-
ondaries bright sulphur, with discal spot and mesial band of orange color;
apical part of three upper cells of grayish purple.
Type 4, coll. B. Neumoegen.
A wonderful aberration, fresh and bright in appearance, and
entirely distinct from the typical form. It was taken in the upper
part of New York City by Mr. Herman Saenger, to whose in-
dustrious exploits I cannot do more honor than by dedicating
this beautiful insect to him. It is an enormously developed % ,
expanding 115 mm., the body having a length of 35 mm.
152 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ October,
Platysamia Gloveri var. reducta. &
This is a very curious dwarf form, flying in the highest part
of the Colorado range of the Rocky Mountains. The discal spot
in primaries invariably touches the transverse posterior white
band. The reddish brown space containing the discal spot and
bordered by the white basal and transverse posterior bands is so
narrow that in most of the examples it shrinks to a mere black
line at the centre of interior margin. The basal reddish brown
area containing the discal spot of secondaries is so narrow, that
it never exceeds 25 mm. in its measure. In other Dita 4 the
insect tallies with the typical form. I-
It is easily distinguished by its minimal size of body mid wings,
and by the transverse band nei aera with discal spot of prima-
ries. Expanse of wings ¢, 83 mm.; 85 mm. Length of body,
$, 25mm.; 9, 25mm.
Types coll. B. Neumoegen.
Described from a number of examples taken at an altitude of
11,000 feet by Mr. D. Bruce in July, 1890, at Gibson Gulch,
Colorado.
Ct).
VU
ON THE EARLY STAGES OF SOME MOTHS.
By WM. BEUTENMULLER, New York.
Cherocampa tersa Linn.
Larva.—Body pale green, with very fine longitudinal irrora-
tions. Head small, smooth, green; mouth parts black; along
the subdorsum is a rather broad, white band running from the ©
fourth segment to the caudal horn on the eleventh segment; on
the band is placed, on each segment, a round black ring, the one
on the fourth segment with a black eye-like spot in the centre.
Color of the underside of the body and all the legs concolorous
to the above; caudal horn reddish, with the apex black. Length
about 60 mm.
The larva figured by A Abbot and Smith (Ins. Ga. p. 75, pl. 38)
has in each of the black rings along the subdorsum a large red
spot. In all my specimens, six in number, no sign of the red
spots was apparent. ss
Foop-PLant.—WManettia bicolor. September.
Pyromorpha dimidiata H.-S.
Ecc.—Ovate, pale yellow, smooth, shining, slightly flattened
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. coe it
above and below. Length about 1 mm.; width about .75 inch.
Laid June 18th; emerged June 28th.
- Younc Larva.—Dirty grayish white and covered with rather
long hairs of the same color; head also grayish white with a
brown spot on each side of the anterior part; mouth parts pitchy
black. The head is sometimes entirely black or brown, shining;
underside of body same color as above: Length 50 mm.
Not knowing the food-plant I was unable to rear the larve to
maturity. The eggs I obtained from a number of females flying
amongst a species of grass on the border of a well-shaded and
dry-piece of woods on Long Island, N. Y.; about fifty imagos
were taken. The young larve, however, refused to eat the grass
on which I found the moths, and which I supposed was also the
food of the species.
Apatela innotata Guen.
_ Larva.—Head, posterior portion pitchy-brown, anterior part
dirty-white, with the mandibles pitchy. Body above dull grayish
brown, with a series of four shining, black, piliferous spots on
- each segment along the dorsal region from the second to the last
segment and two rows of yellow spots along each side with
another row of black spots between; underside dull grayish.
Legs and feet concolorous. The body is also sparsely covered
_ with sordid white hairs. Length 25 mm. Food-plant unknown.
Found ready to pupate on the trunk of a hickory tree, the
bark of which the larva mimics. Collected at Englewood, N. J.,
Aug. 21, 1890. Imago emerged May 6, 1891, The larva spun
a rude cocoon made of small bits of wood.
ROCKS.
By J. T. Mason, Houston, Tex.
On looking over the present volume of News I noticed the
article in the February number entitled, ‘‘ Lepidoptera at the
Electric Lights,’’ by Dr. Ottolengui. Reading it caused all the
difficulties in the way of many of us becoming advanced ento-
mologists to rise before me. I handed the book to a young friend
of mine and told him to read the article; he has collected about
a year, and was greatly interested in the subject. After he had
154 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
read it through he remarked, ‘‘ how does this fellow get all these
names down so fine?’’ This is a question which is readily an-
swered; he lives in New York and in his association with other
more advanced students, and in having access to large collections
he can readily manage it. This is a rock on which ninety-five per
cent. of young beginners are wrecked. We will take this city as
an example: I have known not less than six in the past two years
that have commenced and have gone to pieces on this rock and
fallen by the wayside, and it is most natural. A beginner sees a
collection, and is attracted by its beauty, and concludes that he
would like to become a collector also, and gets his net and bottle
and makes a start. _He soon finds that he has a large lot of ma-
terial on hand and can’t tell onefrom another, rare from Common,
or good from bad, and winds up in confusion and disgust. Now,
if we had in this country some such works as are to be found in
Europe, which give figures of most of the species, and published
at a reasonable price, many of the difficulties would disappear,
but at present the literature is so scattered, and the illustrated
works in this country are so very expensive as to place them out
of reach of most of us. Those plates of C. rvegalis have suggested
to my mind that if we had photos like these of the species in
this country, or of a considerable portion of them along with de-
Scriptions of the colors, and if such a work could be gotten out,
say at a cost of not over ten dollars, we would find a hundred
collectors where we find one to-day. Last season a friend caught
a duna moth and brought it thirty-five miles because he thought
it a rarity; it would have crushed him if I had mentioned the
fact that I had sent over six hundred to London during the same
month. About twice a year we get an accumulation of unknown
material and send them North for identification; this works pretty
well where we have more than one of a kind, but it often hap-
pens that we have but one and don’t want to box it and run the
risk of having it lost or broken. All collectors know how we
cherish a single specimen believed to be rare, and in future I never
intend to let these single specimens go out of my keeping. I
am, therefore, looking forward to the good time coming when
we can all have better means of identification, and Entomology
becomes more popular and generally studied. I have enumerated
some of the rocks, but there are more, and I hope they may be
gradually eliminated.
f
;
a a
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155
A NEW GLUPHISIA.
By Prof. Gro. H. Hupson, Plattsburg, N. Y. .
Gluphisia avimacula n. sp.
Male.—Thorax cinereous; vertex of head, collar and anterior half of
patagia nearly black; front, palpi and pectus pale brown; legs cinereous,
the tarsi ringed with dark brown; abdomen gray. Primaries cinereous,
thickly dusted with black scales; a black basal line, dentate on subcostal
and median veins and sending down, intermediately, two fine black lines,
which reach and enclose the small, pale ochreous basal spot, resting on
. median vein; obscure on costa and below submedian vein. Second band
nearly straight, deep black, prominent, starting on costa at a little less
than half way to the apex, slightly angulated outwardly on subcostal and
median veins, forming a shallow inward curve or sinus below submedian
fold, widening at internal margin. An ochreous subtriangular discal spot
edged with black, projecting a point towards the costa and a shorter one
towards the base along median vein. Externally contiguous to the discal
spot is an indistinct third band, subparallel to the first, slightly waved,
pale brown and diffuse, more distinct on internal margin. Beyond this is
a narrow and faint fourth beginning on costa at about three-fourths dis-
tance from base, parallel to external margin, dentate inwardly on the
veins, slightly angulated at vein 2, edged externally with pale cinereous.
A fifth band consisting of a row of dark spots, edged within with pale
cinereous, runs about midway between band four and the external margin.
It has a slightly waved appearance with a shallow inward curve on vein 2,
from thence it runs to the outer angle and joins the row of black, diffuse,
intervenular spots in the pale cinereous fringe. The ground color of wings
is palest between the first two lines, and slightly yellowish beyond and
below the discal spot. Secondaries brownish cinereous, with a faint
mesial band, dentate inwardly between veins 1 and 2, more distinct at
internal margin, where it is white, shaded before by a black line and behind
by a more diffuse black spot, followed by another pale spot before reach-
ing margin; fringes as in primaries, but with intervenular spots more dif-
fuse, almost forming a continuous line. Beneath concolorous with secon-
daries above, tinged with cinereous at the apex of the primaries and outer
third of secondaries. On each of the wings, beyond the middle, a slightly
undulating darker band edged with pale whitish outwardly and following
the course of the band above.
Female with front cinereous, concolorous with thorax. Expanse:
male, 38 mm.; female, 40 mm.
Described from two males and-one female taken May 15th and
22d, 1887, and May 10, 1891, at the electric lights, Plattsburg,
i
THE enterprising bee keeps up with the times by having his apartments
arranged in sweets.— Yonkers Gazette.
156 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
A NEW GNOPHALA FROM COLORADO.
By W. J. HOLLAND, Ph.D., Pittsburg, Pa.
G. Clappiana n. sp.—Male. Upperside: anterior wings black,
with a quadrate spot of pale yellow at end of cell and a band of
three small, sharply defined, oval spots below the apex. A minute —
white spot at base; fringes at apex and near exterior angle nar-
rowly white. Posterior wings deep bluish black, with the fringe
somewhat broadly white. Abdomen blue-black; front white;
collar marked by two small blue spots; patagize pointed with
white at base and tips and bordered internally with pale blue.
Underside: anterior wings as above. Posterior wings with faint
white spot at end of cell, otherwise as above; chest rufous. A
line of small white spots is found on each side of abdomen.
_ Type coll. Holland. Described from a single specimen taken
upon the mountains of Williams River, Colorado, by Mr. Geo.
H. Clapp, president of the Iron City Microscopical Society, July,
1891.
This description was written in the rooms of the American
Entomological Society after a careful search through the literature
and examination of the species in the genus.
2D.
Vv
A NOTE ON THE LIMACODID GENUS ISA Pack.
By Harrison G. Dyar.
Recently on a visit to Boston I saw, by the kindness of Mr.
Henshaw, the type specimen of the genus /sa, created for Her-
rich-Schiaffer’s species textuda. The specimen is a small female
Sisyrosea inornata G. & R., and I have compared Dr. Packard’s
characterization of genus /sa with specimens of zxernata and find
all the characters borne out. Especially his description of the —
venation is characteristic of the somewhat peculiar venation of
.S. inornata. 1am not sure that this is the correct identification
of the species ¢extula, but as I know of no other species to which
the name should apply, I would arrange the genus as follows:
Genus Isa Packard.
sisyrosea Grote.
inornata G. & R.
? textula H.-S.
nasoni Grt.
rude Hy. Edw.
1891. | ve ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 157
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
The third stage of existence in lepidopterous insects is called
the chrysalis or pupa stage. The term chrysalis is derived from
a word meaning golden, because many of them are decorated
with golden spots. Pupa comes from a word meaning boy or
child, because a pupa was thought to resemble an Egyptian child
swathed in bandages, or a mummy. In the Rhopalocera or
diurnals, the chrysalis or pupa, is naked, and not covered with a
cocoon, nor do the larve enter the ground to undergo their
changes. The majority also differ in being variously ornamented
and shaped, although the general pattern is that of an inverted
cone. The chrysalids of the Hesperids or skipper butterflies
which approach the moths or Heterocera in character are pro-
tected by a few leaves or blades of grass which the caterpillar
draws around itself before changing. The character of the outer
hard covering in these is different from the diurnals in general,
being hard, dark and shining, like those of the moths, although
quite a number are covered with a light bloom like that on a
plum. It is thus quite easy to distinguish the chrysalis of a but-
terfly from that of a moth. The chrysalids of the diurnals are
suspended to a stick or leaf by the extremity, or in addition to
this in some cases are fastened by a sling of silk which goes
around the body of the chrysalis, and is fastened on each side of
the supporting leaf or twig. In the former case the head of the
caterpillar hangs downward, and in the latter it points upwards
and outwards at an angle. Some of the larve of the moths find a
convenient place under a piece of bark and change toa chrysalis;
some spin a shroud or cocoon, which in some-cases is composed
of silk, and in others of the caterpillar’s own hairs interwoven.
Some employ bits of wood, leaves, sticks and pieces of earth in
the same way. Many enter the ground and transform as already
mentioned. The changes that go on ina chrysalis are wonderful.
The chrysalis is apparently dead, showing no signs of life, but in
the inanimate looking object is being developed a beautiful insect,
perhaps a gorgeous Morpho* or a beautiful Ornithoptera,* yet
‘to all appearance it is an insignificant looking object, giving no
indication whatever of Nature’s legerdemain or fairy-like per-
formances.—Ep.
* Grand butterflies from Brazil and the East Indies, respectively.
"158 ' ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
RANDOM NOTES ON LEPIDOPTERA.
By HENRY SKINNER, M.D., Philadelphia.
This Summer Pamphila hobomok % , and the two females (black
one Pocahontas), were quite abundaht May 31st, and eggs were
secured. /. zabulon %& was also rather common at the same
time. I have never seen a female of zadu/on yellow like the male,
and am sure it does not exist in this locality if at all. I have
found the male and the black female in copulation a number of
times. I can distinguish the females of zabulon and hobomok
without any difficulty, and feel sure that the two species are en-
tirely distinct, and at some future time will have more to say about
them. June roth I sawa female P. manataagua ovipositing, she
went down in the grass near the roots and close to the ground,
and walked about in the miniature woods depositing an egg here
and there near the base of the blades and on the dead and de-
caying grass. These eggs hatched June 17th. This species was
exceedingly abundant on a grassy embankment, and the speci-
mens darted from flower to flower by a succession of quick jerks.
I mention the occurrence of the species here in such numbers as
it is usually considered quite rare. After one becomes acquainted
with it, it can be readily distinguished from cernes even on the
wing. /. fusca was common in Fairmount Park June oth, and
nice, fresh specimens of Eudamus lycidas were taken. Pamphila
Aaroni was moderately plentiful at Cape May, N. J., June 14th.
Mr. Philip Laurent has also taken the species at Anglesea, N. J.
It is a very wary fellow, and has a very quick flight, but if you
get him in his favorite place, the trumpet-like flower of the wild
morning-glory, he is at your mercy. He flies straight for the
flower, and alights on the lower edge, and walks slowly in until
he reaches the sweets, and keeps very quiet, and you would not
know there was a specimen around until you learn his artful
tricks. A cyanide-jar at the opening of the flower means busi- —
ness and a fine, faultless specimen.
P. delaware is a great rarity here; I saw one fine specimen on
a ball-bush flower July 11th, and he was so pretty and fresh, with
his brilliant yellow-orange under wings, that I tried to induce
him to go into a small cyanide bottle, but he did not agree with
me on the subject. Next time I see that fellow I will use a net.
I think the types were caught here by Mr. James Ridings. P.
.
ee eee
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 159
massasoit is exceedingly abundant in the swamps near Westville,
N. J., from the 4th to the roth of July, and you can get them as
fast as. you can use net and bottle. I think it quite a pretty spe-
cies when fresh; it has such pretty velvety-brown wings. Mr. H.
G. Willard, of Grinnell, Iowa, informs me that Amdlyscirtes
samoset flies there in the woods about June gth, but is anything
but common. Mrs. Slosson has also taken a few specimens of
this rare species at Franconia, N. H. I will now skip from the
skippers and give a couple of new localities which are interesting.
Mr. H. G. Willard has serit me Chrys. hellotdes from lowa. Mr.
Edwards’ catalogue gives Montana to Arizona; Oregon, Califor-
nia. M.C. H. T. Townsend has sent me Syxchle crocale from
Las Cruces, N. Mex.; types, I think, came from western Ariz.
The New Mexico specimens lack the internal row of white spots
on the secondaries.
An Exorista parasitic on Lagoa opercularis.
By C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND, Las Cruces, N. Mex.
Dr. -Alfredo Duges, of Guanajuato, Mexico, has kindly given
- me an £xorista labeled ‘‘ from the cocoon of Lagoa opercularis.”’
It agrees with none of the twenty-six new species described by
Mr. van der Wulp in the ‘‘ Biologia Centrali- Americana,’’ and a
description of it is presented below. It belongs near £. flavicans
v. d. W. among the species with ciliate hind tibiz.
Exorista lagow nov. sp. <'.—Black, cinereous with a more or less brassy
reflection. Eyes dark brown, thickly pubescent; front, sides of face,
cheeks and posterior orbital margins pale brassy; front at vertex narrower
than the eyes, much wider at base of antenne, rather prominent; frontal
vitta black, less than one-third the frontal width, wider anteriorly, pronged
posteriorly; frontal bristles descending to base of third antennal joint,
those before base of antennz decussate, the sides of front with fine bristly
hairs outside the frontal row and on the ocellar area; no orbital bristles;
face receding, facial depression wide, silvery; facial ridges bare, only three
_ or four very small bristles above the vibrissz, which latter are decussate
and inserted only slightly above the oral margin; sides of face narrow
above, very narrow below base; cheeks narrow, invaded below by the
cinereous hairy occipital area, with bristles on lower border; antennz
nearly as long as face, black; second joint short, third joint more than
four times as long as the second; arista long, slender, scarcely thickened
on basal third, indistinctly jointed at extreme base, black; proboscis short,
fleshy, brownish, especially the large labella, which are furnished with
160 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
yellowish brown hair; palpi well developed, club-shaped, pale brownish
yellowish, black, hairy; occiput cinereous, gray hairy, with a black band
from vertex to centre, and the orbital margins with a fringe of black
bristles. 7ovrax black, brassy-cinereous pollinose, leaving four more or
less well defined black vittze; thorax bristly and hairy, humeri and pleurze
cinereous; scutellum blackish at base, apical portion broadly ochreous,
with an apical strongly decussate pair of macrochetz and three lateral
pairs, the intermediate one short. Abdomen moderately broad, ovate,
covered with short bristles; first segment somewhat shortened, black,
without macrocheetz; second to fourth segments pale brassy cinereous,
leaving the hind margins and a median vitta shining black; second seg-
ment very faintly reddish on sides, venter silvery pollinose; a median
marginal pair of macrochzetze on second segment and a lateral marginal
one; about ten marginal on third segment; anal segment with macro-
chzetze interspersed with bristles? Zegs black, femora and tibie faintly
silvery; femora hairy, tibiz with some strong bristles; hind tibiz with a
fringe of bristles on outer edge, a strong bristle beyond the middle and
one or two at tip longer than the rest; claws and pulvilli elongate, the
pulvilli smoky whitish. Wings longer than the abdomen, moderately
wide, without costal spine, grayish hyaline; tegulz yellowish gray, halteres
dark brownish. Length 7 mm.; of wing, 6 mm. ;
Described from one specimen. Guanajuato, Mexico.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE. »
[The Conductors of ENTomoLocicat News solicit, and will thankfully receive items 3
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future all papers received for publication in the News will be f
printed according to date of reception.
TueE List of Lepidoptera of Boreal America, by Prof. J. B. Smith, has
reached 5042 numbered species to date; will be completed by Oct. 1, 1891.
Mr. Levi W. MENGEL, of Reading, Pa., who went as entomologist to
the West Greenland Expedition sent out by the Academy, has returned,
and brought home a collection of about four hundred insects.
WE have heard that Prof. J. B. Smith sailed for Europe September 16th.
We wish him a pleasant voyage, and have no doubt but what he will come
back laden with entomological facts picked up in the museums of Europe.
Prof. R. R. Row ey, who has contributed a number of very interesting a
articles to the News, has been appointed professor of Natural History in io)
1891. ] . ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 161
the High School at Fort Smith, Arkansas. We hope he may continue to
do good entomological work in this new and interesting locality.
Ir is a solitary fly that annoys. Where there are swarms of flies they
have their time and attention partly occupied in mutual conversation,
playing tag and other fly diversions; but get into a room with a solitary
fly and he will give you his undivided attention.— Boston Transcript.
Tue death of Capt. K. Yankowsky on the upper Yang-tse-Kiang, is a
blow to Entomology, and an especially severe one to me. He was known
as an excellent captain, an indefatigable traveler, and an ardent collector.
He had just returned from a collecting trip to the sacred Mount Omi in
Szechuen, when death overtook him on board the boat, built by his own
hands, in the midst of his awe-stricken Chinese crew.—B. NEUMOEGEN.
As the commercial Paris green is frequently adulterated with lime I
append a reliable test, which may be of use to the many workers in the
field of economic entomology. If you take about as much Paris green
as will lay on a dime and put it in about tablespoonful of aqua ammonia
it will, if pure, all dissolve and turn to a beautiful blue color. If it is
adulterated there will be a white sediment in the bottom, which shows
the presence of lime.—F. W. GopInc.
EXPEDITIONS to Western China and Tibet are, even at this day, con-
nected with great risk of life and enormous expenses. Fanaticism, lying,
stealing, are some of the many vicissitudes inflicted by the border people
of both realms on European collectors. Although the Pratt Expedition,
sent out by Mr. Leech, has been highly successful, no other collector will
be sent there again for this reason. Mr. Kricheldorf, the head collector
-_ of the last expedition, writes me harrowing tales of his experiences.
B. NEUMOEGEN.
Some of our old entomologists put us of the younger generation really
toshame. Here is an example—Dr. John Gundlach, of Cuba, just writes
me: “‘ My health is unimpaired. On July 17, 1891, I celebrated my 81st
birthday. My friend, Dr. Gutierrez, president of the Academy, died last
December at the age of 90 years. Poey, my best and oldest colleague in
Natural History, died in January, nearly 92 years old. I shall try to do
the same. Next Spring I shall be on a collecting expedition in Porto
Rico and St. Domingo.’’ What youthful ardor and elasticity!
B. NEUMOEGEN.
-
BITTEN BY A TARANTULA.—While Samuel G. Williams, manager of the
Union News Company, was unpacking a box of pears Thursday, which
he received from Southern Texas, a tarantula leaped from the box and
fastened its fangs in the middle finger of his right hand. He threw it from
him and the spider was killed. In half an hour from the time he was
bitten, Williams began to get delirious, and his pain was so great that it
took three men to hold him. Three doctors are in attendance, but no
162 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | [October,
hope is entertained of saving the man’s life.—A subscriber wishes to know
if any reader of the News has knowledge of an authentic case of death
from the bite of a tarantula?
A nuMBER of the joints of the ordinary cactus of the plains (Opuntia
missouriensis), containing pupz, were recently sent from Colorado to the
Kansas University and placed in the breeding cases. Although the pupz
have not yet transformed, a number of puparia have, within the past few
days, disclosing two allied Syrphids, Copestylum marginatum Volucella
Jasciata. The puparia were lodged deeply in cavities within the stem,—
evidently the feeding place of the larva. The puparia of the two species
are scarcely distinguishable, both having a short, conjoined stigmatic tube
and two slender anterior projections. The former species has the singular
habit of continually keeping an alternate up and down movement of its
remarkable antennz while walking.—S. W. WILLISTON.
This June while on a tramp in quest of Coleoptera I was going through
a patch of woods and T noticed on my path one of the larger predatory
Diptera which so closely mimic a bumble-bee, and kindly determined for
me by my friend, Mr. Wm. T. Davis, as DasylHs thoracica Fabr. He
was Carrying away a Longicorn beetle. On attempting to pick him up he
flew away carrying the beetle with him, which, nevertheless, he dropped
upon being struck with my hand and settled in the grass a few feet dis-
tant, where he was easily captured. The proboscis of the fly had sepa-
rated the elytra and penetrated the abdomen between the second and
third segments. Ihave often noticed this fly preying upon soft insects,
as Lepidoptera, etc., but never before upon a hard bodied beetle.
J. C. THompson, Clifton, L: I., N. Y.
W. G. WriGHT, a naturalist of San Bernardino, Southern California, is
spending a few weeks in this section (Sitka, Alaska) for the purpose of
collecting plants and insects. He finds much of a novel character to in-
terest him, and considers that Alaska presents a wide field for investiga-
tion. On Thursday, in company with Fred. E. Frobese, he ascended
Mount Verstovia by way of the Jamestown Bay trail, and remained on the
summit for some six hours, during which time he secured a large number
of species of plants and grasses growing above the timber-line. Mr.
Wright has secured several species of flora which he believes to be as yet
unknown to botanists. The Alaskan grasses in Mr. Wright’s collection
will be presented to the Department of Agriculture at Washington, and
the flowering plants will be given to the Academy of Sciences at San
Francisco and the State University of California, located at Berkeley.
Very few insects have as yet been found by Mr. Wright during his search,
and those discovered are of no particular value or interest.
Locusts 1v Morocco.—Some curious information in regard to locusts —
in Morocco is contained in the last British Consular report from Mogador.
During the Spring the country was ravaged by immense swarms of the
insects, which were first reported from the southern province of Soos
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 163
about the end of October, were overrunning the neighboring land of Haba
and Shiadma by the end of November, and were subsequently heard of
in various parts of the interior, and still later from the important grain-
producing districts round Mazagan and Casablanca. Late reports from
Mazagan were that they were settling down there, and busy laying their
eggs, which caused great anxiety for the Spring crops, the young locusts,
though unable to fly, being even more unsparing in their devastations
than the adult insects. In addition to the damage done to green crops,
groves of olive and almond trees were stripped of their bark in several
districts, where the next yield of oil and almonds will be seriously affected.
In some places farmers had to hurriedly gather their olives before they
were ripe to save them from the voracious insects. No general and con-
tinued measures are taken, as in Algeria and Australia, against these
pests, the only way in which their numbers seem to be materially reduced
being the collection of large quantities for sale as food among the natives,
They are not “unclean’’ to either Jew or Mohomedan, though prawns,
to which they are compared in flavor by some Europeans who have tasted
them, are not eaten. Taken into the town in camel loads in heaping
sackfuls of ruddy brown or greenish yellow insects (the first-color in Au-
tumn, the latter in Spring); they are first boiled in salt and water, then ~
fried or parched. The same method seems to have been in vogue, ac-
cording to old writers, early in the last century. When properly preserved
the locust was looked upon as a convenient form of food for travelers to
take with them on the road. A fearsome story -was recently told in the
Mellah, or Jew’s quarter of Mogador, that two little children, sent to fetch
water at a village in Shiadma not returning, their parents went in search
of them and found only a heap of bones thickly covered with locusts.
It was further reported that a consignment of locusts from that district
came in and was sold chiefly in the Mellah, and that many Jews fell ill in
consequence of having unwittingly partaken of insects which had eaten
human flesh.—Zondon Times.
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named. under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
164 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
Entomological Literature.
ComPTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, June 6, ’gI.
—Descriptions of new species of Clytridae and Eumolpide,* by E. Le-
fevre; Colaspis chrevrolati, St. Domingo, n. sp. Coleoptera of Eastern
Africa,* by L. Fairmaire; Hasumius, Selomothus, Dichotymus, Blosyri-
dius n. gen. A new genus of Myrmecide,* by A. Forel; Aeromyrma.
Note on the Chrysochroides,* by C. Kerremans. Additions and annota-
tions to the lists of indigenous carnivorous Coleoptera and Lamellicorns,
by A. P. de Borre.~July 4. Entomological miscellanies. IV. Diagnoses
of Madagascan Phytophaga,* by A. Duvivier; Menioporus, Neodera,
Sanckia, Metopedema, Cynortella, n. gen. .
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATHIQUE DE PaRIS 3¢€ Serie, III, 2,
1891.—On the function of the sting in Heterodera schachtii; On the buccal
apparatus in the Phyrganids, by J. Chatin. On the resistance to asphyxia
by submersion in some insects, by M. Devaux. Note on the structure of
the venomous glands of Araneids, by P. Gaubert.
Le NATURALISTE (Paris), Aug. 1, 1891.—Two new Parnassius from
Central Asia,* by L. Austaut.—Aug. 15. Habits and metamorphoses of
Erastria scitula Ramb., a nocturnal lepidopter, by Capt. Xambeu.
JAHRESBERICHT DES VEREINS FUR NATURKUNDE ZU ZWICKAU (Saxony),
1890; Zwickau, 1891.—The Gall formations (Zoocecidz) of the German
vascular plants, an introduction to their identification, by Dr. D. H. R.
von Schlechtendal.
NOTES FROM THE LEYDEN MUSEvM, xiii, 2, April, 1891.—Descriptions
of new species of Curculionide,* by W. Roelofs. List of the Lepidop-
terous insects collected by Mr. A. G. Vorderman in the island of Billiton,
by P. C. T. Snellen.
CompTE RENpDv. L’ACADEMIE DES SCIENCES (Paris), July 27, 1891.—
Contributions to the natural history of a cochineal, Rhizecus falcifer
Kunck., discovered in the green houses of the Museum and living on the
roots of the vine in Algeria, by J. K. d’Herculais and F. Saliba.
IL NATURALISTA SICILIANO (Palermo), May, June, July, 1891.—Cata-
logues of the Coleoptera of Sicily, by E. Ragusa. Entomological note
on some species of the genus Reicheia and of the genus Mylabris (Bru-
chus), by F. Baudi.
ERTESITO Az ERDELYI MUZzEUM-EGYLET ORvosS-TERMESZETTUDO-
MANYI SZAKOSZTALYABOL (Proceedings of the Medical and Natural Sci-
ence Section of the Transylvanian Museum Union), xvi, 1, 2, 3, 1891.—
Carabus violaceus L. var. Wolfi Dej. L. v. Mehely. List of the Lepid-
optera usually occurring at Klausenberg, by A. Pachinger. Contributions
to the Orthopterous fauna of Szilagyer Comitates, by J. Pungur. we
:
* Contains new species other than North American.
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 165
ANNALS OF THE QUEENSLAND MusEvy, No. 1, Brisbane, 1891.—Syno-
nymical catalogue of the Lepidoptera Rhopalocera (butterflies) of Aus-
tralia, with full bibliographical reference, including descriptions of some
new species, by W. H. Miskin.
ZEITSCHRIFT DER DEUTSCHEN GEOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, xiii, 4,
Berlin, 1891.—Contributions to the knowledge of the fossil Arachnida, by
E. Haase; two plates.
BERLINER ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITUNG, xxxvi, July, 1891.—Orthoptero-
logical contributions, [V: The Pseudophyllidz of Africa;*} three plates;
List of the Acridiodz collected by Dr. Paul Preuss in Cameroons,* figs. ;
Sumatran. Phaneropteride, figs., by F. Karsch. New beetles from East
Africa,*t by G. Quedenfeldt. Greek Heteroptera collected by E. von
Oertzen and J. Emge,* by O. M. Reuter. Communications on Gallflies
from Kreise Siegen,* one plate; Three new gallflies,* by E. H. Rubsaamen.
Prussian Amber Beetles, new forms from the Helm collection in the
’ Dantzig Provincial Museum,*t by C. Schaufuss. On the Hymenopterous
genera Zvania and Gasteruption,* by E. Taschenberg. On some North
African-Chilopods,* by C. Verhoeff. A contribution to the Central Eu-
ropean Diplopod fauna,* id., four plates. A contribution to the knowledge
of the Saldez and Leptopods,* id., fig. Some remarks on Apidz,* id.,
- figs. On the spinning of an Aphidius larva upon Aphis(Drepanosiphum)
platanoides Schrnk., by Dr. W. Weltner, figs. Obituary notice of Dr.
L. W. Schaufuss, with portrait.
RENDICONTO DELL ’ACCADEMIA DELLE SCIENZE FISICHE E MATHE-
MATICHE (Sezione della Societa Reale di Napoli), 2e Serie, iv, 6, June,
1890.—Miscellanea Entomologica III: Species of Tenthredinidz from
Greece;* A new genus of Italian Tenthredinide;* Four species of Hy-
menoptera from Armenia;* A new species of Derocalymma,* by A. Costa.
XV. BERICHT DER NATURFORSCHENDEN GESELLSCHAFT IN BAMBERG.
1890.—The Hemiptera and Cicadina of the vicinity of Bamberg, by Dr.
Funk.
OFVERSIGT AF KONGL. VETENSKAPS-AKADEMIENS FORHANDLINGAR.
Arg. 48, No. 6, June ro, 1891.—The African genera of Calandridz allied
to Oxyopisthen Thomson,*} by C. Aurivillius, figs.
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, xxxiv, Brux-
elles, 1890.—Note on the Coleoptera brought from the Congo by MM. le
Capt. Bia, Leon Cloetens, Fern. de Meuse, Joseph Duvivier and Lieut.
Paul Lemarinel. Jist of the species and new descriptions,* by A. Du-
vivier. Catalogue of the Ichneumonidz of Belgium belonging to the
group Tryphonide,* by Dr. Jacobs and: Dr. Tosquinet. Essay on the
Malacoderms of Belgium, by E. Rousseau.
* Contains new species other than North American. + Contains new genera.
‘
166 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT (Iris, Dresden, iv, x),
Jahrgang, 1891, Lepidopterological No. 1, Berlin, 1891.—On the syste-
matic classification of the butterflies, by Dr. E. Haase. List of the Le-
pidoptera collected in Palestine and Syria by Dr. Alphons Stubel, in-—
cluding three new species,* by H. Calberla. On a collection of Lepidoptera
from Bangala, by Emily Mary Sharpe. New exotic Lepidoptera,* by Dr.
O. Staudinger, two plates. A new Parnassius-form and two new Palae-
arctic species of Arctia,* id. The Macrolepidoptera of the 2 relents
of Dresden, by H. Steinert.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Xvii, 15; August, fee
studies, by Dr. Kriechbaumer. On Chiastocheta (Aricia) trolli Zett., V.
von Roder. The Zoédcecide of Lorraine (continued), by J. J. Kieffer.—
No. 16. August, 1891. A new Ornithoptera,* by E. G. Honrath. Su-
matran Odonata collected by Dr. L. Martin in Bindjei (Deli),* by Dr. F.
Karsch. Tryphonid studies,* by Dr. Kriechbaumer. The Veber of
Lorraine (concluded), by J. J. Kieffer.
MITTHEILUNGEN DER SCHWEIZERISCHEN ENTOMOLOGISCHEN GESELL-
SCHAFT, viii, 6, 7, Schaffhausen, 1890.—Lepidopterological gleanings,* by
P. Ratzer. Norwegian ants and glandular cement as material for the
nest building of ants, by Dr. A. Forel. A new Orthosia from southern
France,* by Dr. M. Standfuss. A new /chneumon from Switzerland,* by
Dr. Kreichbaumer. | Ephippigera, crucigera Fieb., by Dr. G. Schoch. .
On some varieties of Carabus auronitens, by Dr. G. Stierlin. Remarks }
on Coleoptera and description of new species,* id. On the habits of the
Wustengrill (Brachytrypus megacephalus Serv.), by Dr. A: Forel. Col-
lecting note (a new species of Coleoptera) and Coleoptera Helvetize (con-
tinued), by Dr. G. Stierlin. New Hymenoptera from Madagascar,* by
H. de Saussure. Description of some new snout beetles,* by Dr. G.
Stierlin.
VERHANDLUNGEN D. K. K. ZOOLOGISCH-BOTANISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT
IN WIEN, xli, 2.—Contribution to the Microlepidopterous fauna of Dal-
matia,* by Dr. H. Rebel. Diagnoses of new butterflies in the k. k. Natural
History Court Museum,* by A. F. Rogenhofer.
ANNALES DES SCIENCES NATURELLES. ZOOLOGIE 7e Serie, xi, 6, July
20, 1891.—On some points in the history of the embryonal development
of the praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa), by H. Viallanes; two plates. -
MELANGES BIOLOGIQUES TIRES DU BULLETIN DE L’ACADEMIE IMPE- —
RIALE DES SCIENCES DE ST. PETERSBOURG, xiii, 1, 1891.—Entomological
contributions : I. Two new Central Asian species of Carabus. IJ. On the
synonymy of some Carabids, by A. Morawitz. List of the species of the
genus Scolytus in the collection of the Musee de I’ Academie Imperiale —
des Sciences of St. Petersbourg,* by I. Schevyrew. ; itt
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE IMPERIALE DES NATURALISTES DE Mo
1890, No. 4; 1891.— Tarantula opiphex mihi,* by W. A. Wagner; 1 ans
* Contains new species other than North American. <a
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ 167
TRAVAUX DE LA SOCIETE DES NATURALISTES A. L’ UNIVERSITE IMPE-
RIALE DE KHARKOW, xxiv, 1891.—List of the Evaniidz found in the gov-
ernment of Kharkow, by W. A. Jarochewsky.
West AMERICAN SCIENTIST, vol. vii, No. 61.—New Bombylidz from
California, by D. W. Coquillett. Zordotus junceus n. sp., L. diversus
n. sp., Zoxophora vasta n. sp.
TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE,
vol. xxiii, 1890.—Further Coccid notes, with descriptions of new species ~
from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, by W. M. Maskell. The habits
_ and life-history of the New Zealand‘ Glowworm, by G. V. Hudson. On
New Zealand Cicade, by G. V. Hudson. A few words on the Codlin-
moths Carpocapsa pomonella and Cacecia excessana, by G. V. Hudson.
New species of Lepidoptera, by E. Meyrick. On new species of Aranez,
by A. T. Urquhart. On the occurrence of Danais archippus and Sphina
convolvuli (?) in Nelson, by R. I. Kingsley.
THE JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, vol. xxiii, No. 146.—On the
tongues of the British Hymenoptera Anthophila, by Edward Saunders.
Vol. xx, Nos. 124-25.—Notes on the zodlogy of Fernando Noronha, by
H. N. Ridley. Insects, excepting Coleoptera, by W. F. Kirby. Coleop-
tera, by C. O. Waterhouse.
ENTOMOLOGIST’s MONTHLY MAGAZINE, September 9.—Entomological
notes from Port Darwin, by J. J. Walker. Larva of Zupoecila geyeriana,
by N. M. Richardson. New genera of Agdistidz and Pterophoride, by
Lord Walsingham. Notes on British and exotic Coecide, by J. W.
Douglas. Above paper describes two new species, Orthezia occidentalis
from Colorado, and Orthezia prelonga from Trinidad. On two species
of Ficatis found in Japan, by S. Lewis. Notes on food-plants of Thec/a.
rubi, by R. M. Prideux. Stenophylax alpestris in Yorkshire, by G. T.
Porritt. Nothochrysa capitata near Weymouth, by N. M. Richardson.
Dufourea vulgaris at Cobham Surrey, by E. Saunders. Various captures
in June and July, by C. W. Dale. On oviposition and ovipositor in certain
Lepidoptera, by John H. Wood.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST, vol. xxiv, No. 338.—Cxcullia verbasci and its
allies (with plate), by Richard South. A preliminary list of the insect
fauna of Middlesex, by T. D. A. Cockerell. Entomology of Granada
and its neighborhood, by F. A. Walker. Contributions to the chemistry
of insect colors, by F. H. P. Coste. Notes, news, captures, etc. Doings
of societies.
Opituary.—The death is announced of Mr. Ferdinand Grut, mL..S.,
who was at one time vice-president of the Entomological Society of Lon-
don, and also occupied other important positions in the Society at various
times.
168 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October,
Doings of Societies.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.—February 5, 1891.
Mr. Schwarz presented for publication descriptions of two North American
species of the Cuculionid genus Phydobius, and one of them he considered
to be identical with the European P. ve/atus. The other is described under
the name of PA. griseomicans. Mr. Schwarz also spoke of the diffi-
culty in recognizing, from the descriptions, the North American species
of Pityophthorus and pointed out that only secondary sexual charac-
ters seemed to offer a satisfactory criterion for the separation of many
closely allied species. The Pityophthorus so common under bark of
Liquid Amber is not P. annectens as formerly assumed by him, but is
identical with the species occurring under bark of Sumach, and which is
named in collections P. consimilis. Discussed by Messrs. Riley and
Schwarz.
Prof. Riley introduced the question of what, strictly speaking, is a co-
coon, and said that he was strongly of the opinion that this term should
not be applied to cells formed by the hollowing out of plant substances,
such as the end, stalk or crown of plants, or to cells made in the earth.
The word “‘ cocoon,” he stated, should signify a structure composed more
or less of silk or gluten. The others could be more strictly termed pupal
cells or cradles.
C. L. MARLATT,
Recording Secretary.
SE
OBITUARY
EDWARD BurGess.—‘‘ Edward Burgess, the well-known entomologist
and yacht designer, died at Boston the early part of July, 1891. He was
forty-three years old at the time of his death. After graduating at Har
vard in. 1871, he was instructor in entomology for some time, and became
well known as a student of the Diptera. He published a number of de-
scriptive papers, and brought together a large collection. He also became
interested in insect anatomy, and published several admirable papers upon
this subject. His anatomy of the milk-weed butterfly, published in the
Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural History is a most admirable
paper, and a positive contribution to knowledge.”
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws for September was mailed September 2, 1891.
—
“S3LISVYEYVG SNOHIJIGONIWAH
‘IITA ‘Id TI OA ‘SMON “JUG
pre?
-ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
' ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. II, _. NOVEMBER, 18o1. No. 9.
CONTENTS:
Van Denburg—On the method of Spin- Skinner—Elementary Entomology. ....- 177
ning the Cocoon in acertain species Notes and NewS... .cdtaemascsess cosccconpseces 179
Of IchneuMOnidee.........seeesererereeeseee 169 | Entomological Literature.., .......-.+++see++ 183
Kunze—Terias nicippe on Long Island. 171 | Doings of SocietieS........::ccccsessssesreesees 187
Skinner—A new Pamphila......-.--...-++-+ 175
Neumoegen—On the Genus Anaea of
OUL COUMETY.. crecresersecesreeresseroee sesene 175
On the method of Spinning the Cocoon in a certain
species of the Ichneumonidz. See Pl. VIII.
By M. W. VAn DEnzBuRG, A.M., M.D., Fort Edward, N. Y.
The larva on which there was already one set of cocoons when
captured, belonged, apparently, to the Sphingide, was a little
over two inches long, and had a crop of twenty-five or thirty
cocoons already scattered along its sides. It probably fed on a
frost grape vine, where it was captured.
Two or three days subsequent to its capture, a fresh crop of
parasites were discovered pushing their way into the outside
world. ;
When this was first observed, all the stages were in progress—
from boring beneath the skin to half woven cocoons. Subse-
quently many others appeared, and the whole stage from begin-
ning to end was carefully watched. ;
At first the little white, semi-translucent worms could be seen
working their way up from the deeper layers toward the surface
of the opaque green of the host’s tissues. When finally they
reached the surface, immediately beneath the outer skin, by con-
tinual pressure of a sharp, but soft-pointed head, and so far as
9
170 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. - [November,
could be seen, by no gnawing or eating force, they finally suc-
ceeded in pushing through a very minute extremity.
This soon began to fill and enlarge by distention from within,
as if the liquid contents were being forced into it from beneath
the surface. When far enough advanced above the surface a dis-
tinct wriggling motion could be perceived. Finally, when free
or nearly free, the process of spinning the cocoon began.
Bending over sidewise until the head of the little white grub
touched the surface of its host, close to where the least fraction
of its body still remained fastened in the hole whence it had
emerged, the head begins to bob up and down, and from side to
side, with a ceaseless regularity. With the naked eye this is all
that can be seen, but under a glass enlarging four or five diame-
ters, a very fine web is seen extending from the mouth; soon a
fine open-meshed net begins to arise about the base and gradu-
ally increase in height. Each time the worm only touches the
edge of the structure, which does not wholly surround the body,
but reaches only a little more than half its circumference. Finally,
the meshes are brought up to the full height of the erect grub
and roofed in as high as it can reach.
The next step is not in all cases the same. Sometimes the open
side is closed down to near the middle of the body, but more
often the worm turns. end for end, and begins industriously to
spin the white opaque cocoon from the bottom. This it does by
the same constant motion, bending to near the middle of the body
with each sweep of the head and carrying it to the full length of
extension. Soon the strokes grow shorter, the little creature is
wholly immeshed and it turns round and round, up and down,
changes ends again and again, until it can mo longer be seen.
Finally, after the inner glazing has been applied, it at lasts ceases
its perpetual motion and passes into a well-earned sleep.
The-cocoon will now be found slightly attached to the surface
of the host by the loose meshes before described, and it may be
removed with very little force.
Some variations from the above should be mentioned. Occa-
sionally a grub will begin to spin the open meshes about himself
by the time he has only half emerged into the outer world. The
two processes then go on simultaneously. Again, another will
not begin this work of spinning until wholly free from the hole
through which it has forced its way. In this case it sometimes
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 171
falls to the surface on which the host rests, and having no method
of locomotion, begins to spin its cocoon where it chances to fall.
This it can do as well lying on its side as when standing on end;
Only in the former case it passes the head from side to side, over
the body, instead of up and down, as when perpendicular.
As to the time occupied in the various stages—from five to eight
minutes elapse after the worm is first discovered beneath the skin
until the small rounded head is seen above the surface of the skin.
Not far from ten minutes are consumed in fully freeing the body,
while the cocoon spinning goes on visibly for at least half an hour,
and probably continues twice to four times as long in the privacy
of its own chamber.
The first crop, the one upon the pupa when captured, hatched
in about one week from the time it was taken. The second crop
began to hatch on the tenth day from the time they first appeared.
Unfortunately, all the perfect insects of the first lot were lost;
they were wholly black. Of the second lot some specimens ac-
company this paper. They all had yellowish legs, being con-
spicuously distinguished by these from the first to appear.
The first crop consisted of twenty-five to thirty-five cocoons;
the second of upwards of fifty. It is worthy of remark that no
visible mark or injury could be found under the glass at the points
where the worms emerged from the surface of their host.
TERIAS NICIPPE ON LONG ISLAND.
_ By RicHARD E. Kunze, M.D.
On Sunday morning, August 2d, this year, a rainy and threat-
ening kind of a day, I started off with a small Cafoca/a net, ovoid
in shape and only 5 x 8 inches in respective diameters. A friend
-of entomological aspiration whom I met, went with me. After
spending two hours inspecting many trees of Long Island City
in vain, we started off in another direction, which brought us to
the edge of a swamp and low meadows, the water of which
empties directly into the East River. By this time the sun came
out hot. I suggested to take in the swamp, part of which was
good cow pasture with a solitary thistle—Cxzcum pumilum here
and there on rising ground. On thistles I took a few Papilio
asterias and trotlus, also sometimes ¢hysbe. Lower down as far
172 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ November,
as the wet meadow quantities of Hyssop—AHyssopus officinalis,
Mountain Mint—Pycnanthemum aristatum, var. hyssopifolium,
and Blue Vervain— Verbena hastata, were in bloom. Here I took
many Pamphile, Argynnis myrina, a specimen of Limenitis
disippus and a few Colias philodice, which swarmed around the
plants of the mint family. All at once a—to me—very strange
looking specimen with wings of a golden hue and of such con-
trast from the color of Colias, came out from the Alder bushes,
that it attracted my attention at once. It had a jerky flight,
like Satyrus alope, and gave me some work before I took it with
that small net. Shortly after I started up another male of this
same rare visitor and took the second 7Jerias nicippe. About
noon I saw a third male sipping moisture from the black mud
along a cow path, and not wishing to soil the net, flushed it first,
and, after a fruitless chase through mud and mire, lost it alto-
gether, pursuit in that swamp of Alder—A/nus serrulata, being
an impossibility.
Hungry and parched, we started homeward, and sbielatia high
ground again, my companion, Mr. Louis Kohl, drew my attention
to a very conspicuous white flowering shrub at a distance from
us in another part of the swamp. Thither we started, and on
the way, near edge of swamp, I saw for the first time the food-
plant of the larva of J. nzcippe in full bloom, which is American
Senna— Cassia marilandica. With its masses of yellow, pea-
flower shaped blossoms, it at first hid from my sight a female 7.
nicippe, which was inspecting its pinnate leaves in a fluttering,
kind of a suggestive way. I gave the net to my friend and he
took a perfect female at the first stroke of the net. We discoy-
ered no ova.
As we neared the white-flowering shrub, which ptoiel to be
Sweet-scented Pepperbush—Clethra alnifolia, we passed any
number of Cassia marilandica from four to eight feet high, and «
which proved the centre of attraction of 7: nicippe. These plants
grew in submerged meadow land mostly along the edge of im- —
passable jungle of Rhus venenata, Alnus serrulata, Acer rubra
and a few Clethra alnifolia, intermingled with briars and the vines
of Clematis virginiana and Ampelopsis quinguefolia. Most of
these senna plants grew on the edge of a horseshoe-shaped piece
of meadow, at the concave end of which stood the fragrant
White Alder, or Pepperbush so called. This spot proved to be
’
—
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 173
the El Dorado of the day. Countless numbers of insects visited
it, mostly Hymenoptera, some Lepidoptera, and a few Coleoptera.
Here I took Hemaris thysbe, Pyrameis huntera, Eudamus tityrus,
Danais archippus, Lycena pseudargiolus and also missed a Pa-
pilio. But while busying myself with the aforementioned I was
three times surprised by specimens of 7. nicippe, all males, which
tried to fly past me in making the circuit of that horseshoe. Of
these I took one more specimen which was slightly injured.
When chased they would fly straight for the bushes and disappear.
It was so submerged a locality that I had to cover the grass
with an armful of Alder brush, and which did not prevent the
soles of shoes from being out of water. Trying as this was, the
most vexed circumstance happened after handing my net to Mr.
Kohl, wishing him to take a zicippe, which flew hard by. He
chased the beauty until he landed knee-deep in a meadow hole
full of water. With an exclamation more vigorous than virtuous,
he returned the net without the prize. During this exciting epi-
sode, and while admiring the many forms of insect life visiting
the showy, white racemes which terminated every branchlet,
much like that of Larkspur (De/Dhinium) of the Pepperbush—
a very rare and swift flyer appeared and hovered over the fragrant
blossoms for a few seconds only. It was Aellopos titan, feeding
within three feet of my eyes, and I with no net at hand. It was
twice the size of a large 7. thysbe, had clear wings with a very
dark or blackish border, and a-body as stout as that of a Smer-
inthid. In my anxiety to take it, I put one foot forward with
cyanide bottle in hand, when, like lightning, it disappeared as
suddenly as it came. Other Macroglossids came, but no more
titans. My friend afterwards took a fine male Chrysophanus |
the, feeding on the flowers of Hyssop, in close proximity.
August 8th I returned to same locality with my largest net and
stood for two hours in a broiling sun taking specimens from that
Pepperbush. While thus engaged three more male 7: nicippe
came around the horseshoe curve and were all taken. At exactly
1.30 P. M. A. titan struck the opposite and unapproachable side
of the Pepperbush again. I heard but did not see plainly enough
which intruder it was. After a very few moments I recognized
the object plainly as it took its swift departure.
Sunday, August 16th, myself and young friend returned to
that sweet-scented Pepperbush early in the day and took turns
174 | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [November i
watching it for rarities with nets of all sizes. Up to to 1.30 P. M. took
seven more fine specimens of 7. nicippe, all flying close by to
their food-plant (of the larva), and suggestive of their search for.
females. Of the whole number one, a female, was surprised ex-
amining the leaflets of Cassia marilandica. No ova were found.
So much poison Sumach grew everywhere beside the Senna that -
I could not make a thorough search, it affects me with a fell viru-
lence. My friend, Mr. L. Kohl, took a male zzcippe out of that —
number on opposite side of swamps, where Hyssop was more
plentiful than Senna bushes. There he captured another fine —
male of Chrysophanus the. The flight of nécippe is peculiarly —
low, a kind of zigzag sort of a way, which they persist in unless
hard pursued. .S. adofe flies often higher, but otherwise not un-
like this. species of ZYertas. Three specimens, all males, made
their escape that day, and with the exercise of a little more care
there was no excuse that they got away.except for the benefit of
the species. Altogether, we captured fourteen specimens in Long
Island City, all fresh looking and but one defective of the lot.
No doubt exists in my mind that they were bred in this locality.
It is reported that they have not been seen in large arpa i since
1879 in this neighborhood.
Another word about A. t¢itan and Clethra alnifolig, I pares .
from 11.30 A. M. up to 1.30 P. M. parched, sunburnt. and mos-
quito-bit, gazing at the flowers of the White Alder and now past
their prime, without having another glimpse of that southern —
Sphingid. I would advise all lovers of the flora and insect fauna
to plant a sweet-scented Pepperbush in their garden. Although
naturally found in swamps, it thrives well in any garden soil with
_sufficient sun and water to develop its growth. Most. of the nur-
serymen have it on sale, and it will repay any naturalist for the
trouble of cultivating this charming plant. In swamps it attains
a height of eight feet, in gardens from four to five, and remains
in full bloom for nearly five weeks. Its fragrance is widespread
and delicious.
Wuisky 1s Buc Jurce.—Peoria, Ill., September 24th. The Distillers —
and Cattle Feeding Company has been experimenting with the Takamine
or Japanese process of making whisky. The distillers are so well pleased
that they have decided to fit up the Manhattan Distillery with new ma-
chinery. The new plan greatly reduces the cost of manufacture. A
queer feature is that a species of bug found on the rice is used instead of
yeast for the fermenting process.—Philadelphia Record.
“erry
[1891. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 175
A NEW PAMPHILA.
By HENRY SKINNER, M. D., Philadelphia.
P. panoguinoides n. sp.—Expands one inch. Color brown.
Superiors have two minute fulvous spots on the subcostal ner-
vules and a larger spot in the disc below these. Inferiors im-
maculate. Underside. —Superiors are same color as above, but
of a lighter shade, with a patch of fulvous scales about one-eighth
inch from base; the spots seen above are repeated, and there are
two additional ones. One of these is V-shaped, and is the largest
and situated. between the first and second median nervules. The
last spot is near the middle of the interior margin. The inferiors”
have a row of three white spots near the centre of the wing; they
are half as wide as long. Head, thorax and abdomen same color
as wings above, lighter beneath. Described from specimens from
Key West, Fla. and Texas in the collection of I. C. Martindale,
Esq. This species in color and size may be said to stand between
P. panoquin and P. fusca; being smaller and darker than pano-
guin and larger and lighter*than fusca. Approaches panoguin
nearer than any other species, but has fewer and more indistinct
markings. Looks very much like panoguin beneath.
On the Genus Anza Hb. (Paphia Westw.) of Our Country.
By B. NEUMOEGEN, New York.
There is evidently some misunderstanding about the classifica-
tion of the two species of Anea found in this country. W. H.
Edwards, Prof. Scudder and Riley, and other authors have written
on it, but the questions have never been satisfactorily settled.
According to W. H. Edwards’ ‘‘ Revised Catalogue,’’ 1884,
p. 45, A. (paphia) troglodyta Fabr.
= astianax Cr.
= glycerium Edw. (nec. Doubl.)
= andria Scud.
is found in our Western States, from Illinois to Texas and Neb.
I will herewith prove that the typical ¢vog/odyta is an insect
flying in the Antilles, and that our species should correctly bear
the name of andria Scud.
Dr. John Gundlach, who is an expert on the Lepidoptera of
the West Indies, especially of Cuba and Puerto Rico, has sent
176 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _[November,
me, repeatedly, in the last fifteen years, specimens identified by
him as ¢voglodyta Fabr. Dr. Staudinger received of the same
specimens, which always proved to be uniform in ‘coloring and
appearance, and likewise determined them ‘as froglodyta Fabr.
Kirby, in his Catalogue, p. 276, gives ‘‘Jamaica’’ as the home
of troglodyta. In 1888, Dr. Staudinger published that incom-
parable and beautifully illustrated work entitled, ‘‘ Exotic Lepid-
optera,’’ by Dr. O. Staudinger and Dr. E. Schatz. Rhopalocera
by Dr. Staudinger.’’ On pages 177 and 178 of this work, re-
ferring to the revision of the genus Anza by Druce, in the ‘‘ Pro-
ceedings of the Zoological Society of London,”’ 877 ee
Staudinger says the following :
‘*The genus Ane@a is found throughout the whole dein teteaag
the neotropical fauna from Southern Brazil to Mexico and the
Antilles, one species even flying in the Southwestern States of
the American Union, from Illinois to Texas. The American
authors call it troglodyta Fabr. If astianax Cr., which is always
given as a synonym of it, really belongs to it, then it is a similar
species, exclusively flying in the Antilles, and this is the reason
that Scudder, in 1875, named the North American species andria
(= Ops. Druce, p. 177, 1877).’’
On p. 178 he says:
‘‘In Jamaica is found A. troglodyta Fabr., which I received
directly from there, as well as from Sommer’s collections from.
Hayti (Port au Prince) and Sta. Cruz. One specimen out of the
collection of v. Schenck is marked ‘ Mexico,’ but surely did not
come from there, but from the Antilles. This tvoglodyta has a
long-drawn, sharply-pointed apex of primaries, and the seconda-
ries sharply dentated from anal angle to tail. The brown prima-
ries in both sexes show beyond the centre a black, dentated,
transverse line, and a darker marginal band. A. andria Scud.
(= Ops. Druce, ¢voglodyta, Edwards and Strecker) from the
United States, resembles this insect, but the male does not show
the transverse line; the female jhas it, but is in many ways differ-
ent from ¢voglodyta. A. portia Fabr., which I possess from Som-
mer’s collections in Hayti (Domingo), as well as from Cuba, I
cannot, according to the specimens which I possess, separate as ~
a species from ¢roglodyta, although the black transverse line of
the male is nearly extinct. According to the descriptions of
Fabricius, who gives as habitat of both species ‘ America,’ there
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 177
is a slight possibility that portia may be the Antilles form and —
troglodyta the North American, but it can never be decided with
certainty.””
Now, according to what Dr. Staudinger, Dr. Gundlach, W.
F. Kirby and Druce, all good authorities, say, on this point, the
home of ¢voglodyta is the Antilles, and our North American rep-
resentative is a different insect, which should bear the name of
andria Scud. |
I, for my part, can only add that on a first, even superficial
glance, every body can at once see that the West Indian insect
troglodyta is entirely different from ours. A bright, reddish brown
color well marked, transverse lines and bands, the anal part of
margin of secondaries, well scalloped and longer tails, show it
‘conclusively.
A. Morrisonii Edw., of which I possess the types, is nearer to
troglodyta than andria, but a smaller insect, of duller brown,
and with slight indications only of the transverse line of primaries.
All the European authors have adhered to the name of Anza
Hiib., instead of Paphia, and I do not see why we should not
follow in their footsteps. I, therefore, propose that in the new.
Check List of North America Lepidoptera the names stand:
Anea Hiib.
andria Scud.
= glycerium_Edw. 1871 (nec. Doubl.).
= Ops. Druce, 1877.
Western States, Illinois to Nebraska.
Morrisonti Edw.
Arizona, Mexico.
oO
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
In studying Lepidoptera it is necessary to have a knowledge
of certain anatomical details which can only be learned from in-
seption and dissection of the specimens themselves. The classifi-
cation is based on the difference in structure of various parts—as
the head, body, legs, antennz, and venation of the wings. Slight
changes in these parts separate them into families, genera and
species. Size and coloration are also taken into account, and
are good characters, although subject to individual variation.
178 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [November, _
The Rhopalocera, or Diurnals, are divided into four families:
the Nympalide, Lycenide, Papilionidee and Hesperide. The
first family mentioned is the most extensive one, containing the
greatest number of species. The butterflies in this family may —
be distinguished from the others by the structure of the front
legs in both sexes, which, on examination, will be found to be
aborted or atrophied. The chrysalids of the butterflies of this
family are suspended by the tail and hang downward. “ Al-
though other families coritain butterflies which vie with the Nym- _
phalidz in lustrous beauty, this largest family contains upon the
whole by far the greatest number and variety of striking forms,
whether we consider the butterfly, the egg, the caterpillar, or the
chrysalis. Moreover, they are the forms which are most com-
monly seen and noticed by those who have but a popular interest —
in natural history, for they are the butterflies par excellence of
the temperate zone, of the region where civilization has most —
flourished and the praises of Nature have been most sounded by
-the poets. It is from the transformation of this group of butter-
flies that ancient mythology has drawn inspiration. The very
name chrysalis, the ‘golden thing’ of the Greeks, was drawn
from observation.of this family, where alone the pupa often as-
sumes a golden hue. And it is not strange that they should have
so observed them, for of all butterflies these are the most spritely
and vivacious, the most audacious, most fond of propinquity to
man and his cultivations. and endowed with most varied psycho-
logical traits.’’*
The Nymphalide are divided into four subfamilies: the Saty-
rine, Euploeine, Nymphaline and Libytheine. These further
divisions are characterized as follows: In the Satyrinee some of
the nervures of the forewings are swollen at the base, and the
palpi are slender, compressed, heavily fringed with long scale-
hairs. In the Euploeine none of the nervures are swollen; palpi
rather stout, not greatly compressed, the fringe slight, short and
delicate; antennzee naked. The Nymphalinz have the palpi not —
so long’ as the thorax; fore legs of both sexes atrophied and im-
perfect. In the Libytheinze have the palpi much longer than the
thorax; fore legs of male atrophied, of female normal, except in
being shorter than the others. The family Lyczenide is made up
of small.and delicate butterflies of generally bright color and
* Butterflies of the Eastern United States and Canada.—S. H. Scudder.
1891.) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 179
delicate wings. The Structure of the fore legs this family stands
midway between the Nymphalidz and the Papilionide. The fore
legs of the female are always perfectly formed, though usually
slightly smaller than the middle pair; while those of the male are
always more or less atrophied, yet never to the extent that pre-
vails among the Nymphalide. The family Lyceenide is divided
into two subfamilies: the Lemoniinz and Lycenine. The Le-
moniinz are distinguished by having the labial palpi minute, only
the minute apical joint surpassing the face; fore wings provided
with a distinct internal nervure; hind wings scarcely channeled to
receive the abdomen, furnished with a precostal nervure, the
costal nervure only running to the middle of the costal margin;
fore tarsi of male, with rare exceptions, without spines or claws.
The Lyceeninz have the labial palpi well developed, porrect, half
or more of the middle joint surpassing the face; fore wings with
excessively brief, hardly perceptible, internal nervure; hind wings
channeled on basal half to receive the abdomen, without a pre-
costal nervure, the costal nervure running nearly to the end of
the costal margin; fore tarsi of male armed abundantly beneath
and at tip with spines. [This article is largely made up from the
excellent treatise on classification in Scudder’s ‘‘ Butterflies of the
Eastern United States and Canada.’’ |—Eb.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NeEws solicit, and will thankfully receive items
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author’s name will be given
in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
In the future. all papers received for publication in the News will be
printed according to date of reception.
TueE following may perhaps be of interest to the readers of the ENTo-
MOLOGICAL NEws, especially to any such as are particularly interested in
the Dragon Fly and its life habits. It is concerning the time required for
the nymph forms of the larger species of Zschna to mature. According
to all the writings by entomologists to which I have had access, little is
_ definitely known about this part of the subiect. Some of them, and among
them Packard claims that two or three years is required for the growth
of the nymph from the time it hatches from the egg until the winged form
appears. During the past Summer I had an opportunity to settle this
180 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ November,
point as far as the species Anvaa junius is concerhed. In Franklin Park,
in this city (Columbus, O.), a small lake was dug last Winter in a place
which was before entirely dry and well drained, and during the last of
April and the first of May this lake was filled with water from the city
water-works pipes, which IT am sure contain do dragon fly nymphs; and
on the 30th day of August last, the shores of this artificial lake were
literally lined with the exuvia of Anaaz junius nymphs; so they could not
have been older than four months at the utmost. I saw the first Aaa
Junius flying in the last week of April, and I think I am safe in saying
that none appeared much earlier, as I was on a special lookout for them.
PAUL FIscHER, Columbus, O.
CANNIBALISTIC HABITS OF THE CRICKET.—In the ‘‘Canadian Ento-
mologist,’’ vol. xxiii, p. 137, Mr. Wm. Brodie cites several cases of canni-
balism that came under his notice. My attention was first called to the
cannibalistic habits of the cricket some four years ago while bass fishing
in the upper Delaware River. Wishing to make an early start, I had taken
the precaution to secure my bait the evening previous; part of the bait
consisted of about fifty large crickets, which I placed in a good-sized tin-
box; the next morning I was surprised to find only thirty-five live crickets
in the box, with the legs, heads and other hard parts of the missing fifteen.
The day selected for fishing turned out to be a rainy one, so our trip was
postponed; the box of crickets was laid aside, and the next morning on
examining the contents of the box I was not surprised to find about ten
more missing. I now determined to use the remaining crickets for an
experiment; I kept the box in my room, and on several occasions on ap-
proaching the box very carefully and peeping in, I would be rewarded for
my trouble by sights of cannibalism. In a week or ten days I removed
the contents of the box, which consisted of some eight or ten large, fat
crickets, and an innumerable mass of legs, heads and other hard parts of
crickets. In this case it was no doubt the survival of the fittest (or fattest),
the stronger overcoming the weaker.—PHILIP LAURENT.
INsEcTs BLocK THE TRACK.—Syracuse, N. Y., May 31st. South of
Brighton Corners, between this place and Jamesville, on the D., L. and
W. R. R. are extensive limestone quarries, which have been in operation
for many years, and have penetrated deeply into the rock. Through the
cut thus made, and into the quarries a branch track has been laid from the
Lackawanna road for the accommodation of the hewn stone. Night work —
being necessary, a large part of the time, an arc light has been placed
high over the track at the darkest part of the cut.
Several cars were loaded with stone for shipment on Friday and left
on the switch, pending the observation of Memorial Day. To-night, in
preparation for drawing the cars out, the electric light was cut in and an
engine with the necessary crew left from the city for the quarries. Upon
reaching the cut the track was found to be covered for sixty feet on either
side with strange insects of immense proportions. The swarm was so
great that the engine became stallen, the rails having become so slippery
1891. } ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 181
from the crushed insects. Examination of the new insects shows a re-
semblance to what is known as the electric light bug, though the new
comer is much larger.
The outer shell of the back is about the size and shape of half an egg-
shell, which, when crushed by the engine wheels, gave out a crackling
sound like the explosion of a toy torpedo. The shell is black, of a slatey
structure and very brittle. It is supposed to be a species of lithedome—
a rock-boring mollusk—crossed with some kind of predatory insects.
To secure the shipment of the freight to-night it became necessary to
let the loaded train from above in the quarry come down the grade of the
cut. Gathering momentum all the time, its impetus, when it came to the
obstruction, carried it by the bugs.— Boston Daily Traveller.
SPRAYED GRAPES ARE HARMLEss.—Albany, September 29th. State
Entomologist, John A. Lintner, regards the recent activity of New York
City’s Board of Health as misdirected, and thinks the grape growers and
dealers whose grapes were seized and condemned, have a good cause of
action against the health officers. He declares that the grapes were not
poisoned, and those having the most suspicious spots could have been
dipped in a solution of water and vinegar and thoroughly cleansed.
Prof. I.intner says that last Winter he met the grapegrowers of the Hud-
son Valley, and together they discussed the best methods of killing insects.
that infest grape-vines, and decided in favor of this Bordeaux mixture.
Its only bad feature was that it clung to the grapes after maturity. The
mixture contains copper, but in such minute quantities that a person would
have to eat a ton of grapes to get enough poison in his system to kill him.
Hence he considers the wholesale destruction of the grapes in New York
City as foolish in the extreme and not warranted by any consideration for
the public health.—Zvening Siar.
“In NATURE,” notes Mr. R. T. Lewis, on the authority of a correspon-
dent in whose trustworthiness he has entire confidence, gives a curious
account of the appreciation with which the song of the Cicada is heard
by insects other than those of its own genus. The correspondent has
frequently observed in Natal that when the Cicada is singing its loudest,
in the hottest portion of the day, it is attended by a number of other in-
sects with lovely gauze-like, irridescent wings, whose demeanor has left
no doubt on his mind that the music is the attraction. The Cicada, when
_ singing, usually stations itself upon the trunk of a tree with its head up-
permost, and the insects in question, to the number sometimes of fifteen
or sixteen, form themselves into a rough semicircle at a short distance’
around its head. During a performance one of the insects was observed
occasionally approach the Cicada and to touch it upon its front leg or an-
tennz, which proceeding was resented by a vigorous stroke of the foot
by the Cicada, without, however, any cessation of its song. The insects
composing the audience are extremely active; and so wary that they take
flight at the least alarm on the too near approach of any intruder. Some
of them, however, have been captured; and on examination these proved
182 ENTOMOLOGICAL ‘NEWS. [ November,
to belong to the same family as that most beautiful of British insects—the
lace-wing fly, which, indeed, they closely resemble, except as to size,
their measurement across the expanded wings being a little over two
inches; they have since been identified by Mr. Kirby at the British Mu-
seum as Nothochrysa gigantea.
THE PLAGUE OF Locusts IN ALGERIA.—Sir Lambert Playfair in his
last report on Algerian agriculture remarks on the spread of locusts from
the eastern part of the province, to which they had hitherto for the most
part confined their ravages, to the central regions. Until the eminent
entomologist, D’Herculais, studied the matter carefully, no specific distinc-
tion amongst the locust was recognized. He has now shown that there are
two species, belonging to separate genera, each of which has very marked
peculiarities. These are, the best known or the Biblical species, Acridium
perligrinum, and the Strauronotus maroccanus. Their habits are quite
different; the former generally arriving suddenly about April or May, in
immense flights, and devastating the green crops. The females penetrate
deeply into the moist earth and deposit their eggs, from 80 to 90 in num-
ber, enclosed in a cocoon. Two months afterwards the young locusts or
crickets are hatched; they grow rapidly, get their wings in 45 days, and
then continue their career of devastation far in advance. The other spe-
cies appear in a winged state in July and August; they also Tavage what
green exists at that season, and the females deposit their eggs at a much
less depth than the others, generally on rocky ground. The cocoons do
not contain more than 30 or 4o eggs, and they remain without being
hatched till the Spring of the following year. The first species finds in
Central Africa the most favorable circumstances for its development; the
second, in more temperate countries, such as the Mediteranean region,
and even the Caucasus, Crimea and Asia Minor. It is the latter that has
ravaged Algeria during the last few years, but about the middle of De-
cember last the arrival of flights of the Acridium was reported from
several of the oases of the extreme south.
Fortunately, man is not the only enemy of the locust. ‘Starlings and
Larks feed eagerly on the eggs; wagon-loads of these birds used con- |
stantly to be sent to the French market, but now the killing of them has
been prohibited in the province of Constantine. The larve of the Bom-
byx cantharis and other insects, also get into the cocoons, and often kill
from ten to fifty per cent. of the eggs, while minute cryptogamic organ-
isms destroy many more. The’ best method of contending against the
locust has been very carefully studied. Much has been accomplished by
ploughing the ground deeply as soon as possible after the eggs have been
laid, so as to bring them to the surface, and thus allow them to become
an easy prey to birds and insects.
1891. | _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. . 183
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL News, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Entomological Literature.
_ LEprIpopTeERA HETEROCERA in the British Museum part 8.—Illustrations
of typical specimens of Lepidoptera-Heterocera in the collection of the
British Museum. The Lepidoptera-Heterocera of the Nilgiri district, by
George Francis Hampson, 144 pp. plates 139 to 156. Tltese are fine col-
ored lithographic plates, and contain many figures.
THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL History, vol. viii, No. 45.
—Descriptions of two new species of Lyczenidz from West Africa, in the
collection of Mr. Philip Crowley, by Emily Mary Sharpe.
MEMOIRS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANCHESTER LITERARY AND
PHILOSOPHICAL Society, 1890--91.—Hymenoptera Orientalis; or, Contri-
butions to a knowledge of the Hymenoptera of the Oriental zoological
region, by P. Cameron.
JOURNAL OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, vol. lix, pt. 2, Suppl.
No. 2.—Catalogue of the Insecta of the Oriental region. No. 4, Order
Coleoptera, Families Dytiscide, Gyrinidz, Pausside, Hydrophilide, Sil-
phidz, Corylophidze, Scydmznidz, Pselaphidz, Staphylinidze. Vol. Ix,
part 2, No.1. A list of butterflies of Engano, with some remarks on the
Danaidz, by William Doherty, Cincinnati, U. S. A. New and rare Ly-
cenidz, by William Doherty.
THE REPORT OF THE STATE HorTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF PENN-
SYLVANIA contains ‘‘A pen sketch (with portrait) of Dr. S. S. Rathvon,
Professor of Entomology,’’ by T. W. Goding, Rutland, Tll-
ON A BACTERIAL DISEASE by S. A. Forbes, Ph. D. (reprint from the
“North American Practitioner,’ September, 1891.) The paper describes
the internal anatomy of the chinch bug Alissus leucopterus, and gives an
account of the Micrococcus insectorum which is found in the alimentary
canal. This subject of bacterial disease is a very interesting and impor
tant one not only to the economic entomologist, but to the general
bacteriologist.
LE NATURALISTE (Paris), Sept. 1, 1891.—Some different galls produced
by Acarines on vegetables, by M. Menegaux, figs. Description of a new
Hecatera, by P. Dognin.
184 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ November,
BULLETIN OF THE OHIO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, vol. iv,
No. 5.—This contains an article on the wheat midge, Dip/osis tritici Kby.,
by Prof. F. M. Webster. Figures are given of the insect, its stages and
anatomy, and a complete history of its ravages, etc., in various parts of
the countiy.
INDEX TO THE KNOWN FossIL INSECTS OF THE WORLD, including My-
riapods and Arachnids, by Samuel H. Scudder.—This is Bulletin of the
U. S. Geological Survey, No. 71. This is a large work of 744 pages, and
the author states that he believes it to be practically complete, and says:
‘‘ With the view of furthering study in the too neglected field of fossil in-
sects, I transmit for publication the card catalogue of described fossil
insects which I have used for twenty years, and kept constantly up to date.’”
The great value of this book as a work of reference can be seen at a
glance, and all workers in this field as well as entomologists in general,
are indebted to Mr. Scudder, whose industry and talent as a writer are
phenomenal.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATHIQUE DE Paris (8), III, 3, 1891.—
Patellary Glands of Araneids, by P. Gaubert.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE (Lille), September, 18gr.
—On the presence of Cecidomyia sisymbrit Schk. at Chinon, by Dr. H.
Fockeu.
JOURNAL DE L’ ANATOMIE ET DELA PHYSIOLOGIE NORMALES ET PATH-
OLOGIQUES, etc., xxvii, 3, Paris, 1891.—Abstract genealogy of Arthro-
pods: Determination of the typical forms, (concluded), by A. Segond
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE MIKROSCOPIE UND FUR MI-
KROSCOPISCHE TECHNIK, viii, 2, Braunschweig, 1891.—Methods in em-
bryological researches on insect eggs, by Dr. H. Henking.
ComPpTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Aug. I,
1891.—List of the Carabidze (order Coleoptera) obtained by Pere Cardon
in Bengal, and chiefly from Chota-Nagpore,* by H. W. Bates. Contribu-
tions to the Belgian fauna (Hemiptera, Coleoptera), by A. J. F. Fokker.
Dichotomous tables for the determination of the Belgian species of Cole-
optera Heteromera, by L. Coucke. :
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE LINNEENNE DE NORMANDIE (4), v, 2, Caen,
1891.—The Anthonomus of the apple tree, by E. Lecoeur; 1 pl. The use
of tarred bands against the caterpillars of Chematodia, id.
ARCHIV FUR NATURGESCHICHTE, lvii, I Bd., 2 heft, Berlin, July, 1891.
—The sound apparatus of the Dytiscide, by H. Reeker; 1 pl. Descrip-
tion of a hermaphrodite Arthropod, by Dr. P. Bertkau; 1 pl. (a Zycosa).
IL NATURALISTA SICILIANO (Palermo), August and September, 1891.—
Catalogues of the Coleoptera of Sicily,* by E. Ragusa.
* Contains new species other than North American.
——_ 2
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 185
Le NATURALISTE (Paris), No. 110, Nov. 1, 1891.—The tertiary insects
of North America from the works of M. Scudder, by Dr. E. Trouessart.
The wandering cricket, Acridium pelegrinum (concluded), ad C. Brong-
‘niart.
JAHRESHEFTE DES VEREINS FUR VATERLANDISCHE NATURKUNDE IN
WuRTTEMBERG, xlvii, Stuttgart, 1891.—On some 7Zyhripfs injurious to
grain, by Dr. E. Hofmann. Roser’s Hemipterous fauna of ia alee
published by Dr. T. Hueber.
ANALES DE LA SOCIEDAD CIENTIFICA ARGENTINA, xXxxii, No. 1,
Buenos Ayres, July, 1891.—Dyscophus onthophagus, a new cavern-dwel-
ling cricket from Uruguay, by Dr..C. Berg, No. 2, August, 1891. Argen-
tine Dipterology (Syrphide), by F. L. Arribalzaga (to be continued).
DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT, JAHRGANG 1891, 1 heft,
Berlin, June, 1891.—A new Lucanid of the group Cladognathide from
Java,* On Sclerostomus fasciatus Germain, by G. Albers. Description
of the larva and the female of Homadisus suturalis, by Dr. P. Bertkau; 1
pl. Cochliophorus nov. gen. of Meloidz,* by K. Escherich. List of the
Snout Beetles collected near Djizak, Tschimkent and Nauka,* by J. Faust.
[Additions] to the list of German beetles,* by K. Fuegner. Collecting
notes for 1890, by J. Gerhardt (Coleoptera). Rectification of the hitherto
described species of Castalia, by Dr. K. M. Heller; Microcastaiia n. g.
Remarks on Herr Wilkins’ work on the Cicindelidz of Turkestan, by W.
Horn. Cicindela inscripta Zoubk. new to Europe, Cetonia floricola var.
Fausti, Smaragdesthes subsuturalis n. sp. from Congo, Ptyllopertha hu-
meralis n. sp. from Asia Minor, On the Greek T7richophorus Schaumi
Cand., On Diacanthus sulcatus Cand. from Silesia, On the African Cetonid
genus Stethodesma Bainbr., On Tmesorrhina concolor Westw. and allied
species,* On A. Kuwert’s Identification table of European Coleoptera,
xxii, heft, Heteroceridz, On the genus Avaazzia Fel de Saulcy, The va-
rieties of 7richius rosaceus Voet., T. gallicus Heer, T. fasciatus L., all
by Dr. G. Kraatz. Systematic review of the species and genera of Pas-
salidze, by A. Kuwert. New Coleoptera from Europa, the surrounding
countries and Siberia, with remarks on known species, twelfth part, The
true Cetonid genera and the species known to me from Europe and the
surrounding countries,* by E. Reitter. Lezstus elegans n. sp.,* by C.
Rost. Supplement to the Thuringian beetle fauna, by C. Schenkling.
Sixth contribution to the knowledge of the German beetle fauna, by J.
Schilsky. Revision of the palaearctic species of the Elaterid genus
Agriotes Eschsch.;* 2 plates, Two new Elaterids from Syria and Mada-
gascar, by O. Schwarz. A new East African Cicindela, by A. Srnka.
Brumus trivittatus n. sp. from the Suaheli coast, 7vachodius tibialis n.
sp. from Macugnaga, Known and new Chrysomelidz from Spain I, How
many species does the genus Sclerophedon contain?, On varieties of Phy-
todecta, all by J. Weise.
* Contains new species other than North American.
g*
186 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.. [November,
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, 17, Berlin, September, 1891.—
Osmia studies,* by H. Friese; figs. Two new South American Libellu-
lide, by Dr. F. Karsch; Platyplaa n. gen. Pimpla species from Norder-
ney and three new varieties,* by C. Verhoeff. No. 18, Sept. 1891. Criti-
cism of the system of the Aeschnidz,* Dr. F. Karsch.
Le NATURALISTE (Paris), Sept. 15, 1891.—Description of a new Lepid-
opter,* by P. Dognin.
SPECIES DES HYMENOPTERES D’EUROPE ET D’ALGERIE FONDE PAR
EDMOND ANDRE ET CONTINUE SOUS LA DIRECTION SCIENTIFIQUE DE
ERNEST ANDRE, 39€ Fascicule, July 1, 1891, forming pp. 1-88 of tome vi,
Chrysides,* by Robert du Buysson; 2 plates. 4oe Fascicule, Oct. 1, 1891,
forming pp. 57-136 of tome v; 2 plates.
ARCHIVES DE ZOOLOGIE EXPERIMENTALE ET GENERALE, 2€ Serie, ix,
3, Paris, 1891.—Studies on the blood and the lymphatic glands in the
animal series (second memoir), by L. Cuenot; plates. This memoir
includes the insects.
BULLETINS DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE (Parisi, xvi, No.
1, January, 1891.—An error of the senses in a Lepidopter, by Dr. R.
Blanchard.—No. 2, February. On tlie Pseudo-parasitism of the larve of
Culex pipiens, by Dr. R. Blanchard. New or little-known Diptera [ Hz-
matopota], by J. M. F. Bigot.—No. 4, April. List of the Arachnids col-
lected by M. Ch. Rabot in western Siberia in 1890, and Descriptions of —
some Arachnids from Costa Rica from M. A. Getaz, of Geneva, by E..
Simon; Cupiennius n. g.—No. 6, June. Descriptions of two new species
of Arachnids collected by Dr. R. Blanchard in the Sahara,* by E. Simon.
MEMOIRES DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE, iv, I, 2, 1891.—
Coleoptera collected in the Azores by M. J. de Guerne during the voyages
of the yacht ‘‘ Hirondelle”’ (1887-88), by C. Allaud.
MEMOIRES DE LA SOCIETE DES SCIENCES PHYSIQUES ET NATURELLES
DE BORDEAUX, 3¢€ Serie, v, 2, 1890.—Hermann Mueller and the coloration
of the collecting apparafus of bees, by M. J. Perez.
NOUVELLES ARCHIVES DU MusEUM D’HistToIRE NATURELLE (Paris),
3e Serie, II, 2, 1890.—The collection of insects formed in Indo-China by
M. Pavie, French consul at Cambodia: I Coleoptera, Cebrionidz, Rhi-
pidoceride, Dascillidz,* and Malacodermide,* by M. J. Bourgeois; Cly-
tidze* and Eumolpide,* by E. Lefevre; Diptera,* by J. M. F. Bigot.
ATTI DELLA R. ACCADEMIA DELLE SCIENZE DI TORINO, xxv, disp. 9a,
1889-90.—! iagnoses of some new species of Diptera,* by Dr. E. Giglio-
Tos.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xvii, No. 19, October, 1891.—List
of the Sphingidz collected by Dr. Paul Preuss at Barombi Station in
Cameroon,* by Dr. F, Karsch; 1 plate. Tryphonid studies,* by Dr.
Kriechbaumer.
* Contains new species other than North American.
1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 187
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER (Leipzig), Aug. 31, 1891.—On the embry-
ology of insects, by V. Graber.
MoRPHOLOGISCHES JAHRBUCH (Leipzig), xvii, 3, 1891. On the morpho-
logical significance of the ventral abdominal appendages of insect embryos,
by V. Graber; figs.
VERHANDLUNGEN DER K. K. ZOOLOGISCH-BOTANISCHEN GESELLS-
CHAFT IN WIEN, xli, Bd., I Quartal. April, 1891.—Additamenta to the
monograph of the Phaneropteride,*+ by C. Brunner v. Wattenwyl; 2
plates; a paper of 196 pages, describing many new genera and species.
On noteworthy forms among Acarids,* by Dr. L. Karpelles, 6 zincographs.
ComPTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Sept. 5, ’9I.
—Curculionidz and Brenthidz from western Bengal, collected by R. P.
Cardon, with descriptions of new species,*t by M. J. Desbrochers des
Loges. Melanges Entomologiques: V. Diagnoses of Coleoptera from the
Congo.*¢ VI. Diagnoses of Phytophaga from Madagascar,* by A. Du-
vivier. Third Dichotomous table to aid in determining Belgian species
of Coleoptera Heteromera, by L. Coucke.
XXXVI UND XXXVII BERICHT DES VEREINS FUR NATURKUNDE ZU
KASSEL, 1891.—Lepidopterology: On the local fauna of Cassel and vi-
cinity, by L. Knatz. Observations on the development history of Codeo-
phora gryphipennella, Hbn., by Dr. H. F. Kessler. The development
history of 7ribolium ferrugineum Fab., ibid.
VERHANDLUNGEN DES VEREINS FUR NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHE UN-
TERHALTUNG ZU HAMBURG, 1886-90. Hamburg, 1891.—Contributions to
fauna of the lower Elbe: New and rare beetles, by T. Wimmel and R.
Niemeyer; On beetles imported with drugs, by T. Wimmel; Additions to
the list of macrolepidoptera of the lower Elbe, by J. C. H. Zimmermann;
On the occurrence of Panthea canobita in this locality, by H. Burmeister;
On Plusia illustris, by R. Schmidt; My prey at Eulen in 1890 [Lepidop-
tera], by G. Jaeschke; Additions to the Lepidopterous fauna of the lower
Elbe, by A. Sauber; The Lepidopterous fauna of Horn and vicinity, by
A. Junge; Entomological brevities [Lepidoptera], ibid.
Doings of Societies.
A REGULAR STATED MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES was held Sept. 24, 1891, at the
hall S. W. cor. Nineteenth and Race Streets, Dr. Horn, Director, presid-
ing. Meeting called to order at 8.20 P.M. Members present: Martindale,
Cresson, Welles, Ridings, Skinner and Laurent. Associates: Bland, See-
ber, Westcott, Fox, Liebeck, Johnson, Dr. Castle and Haimbach. Mr.
Martindale spoke of the great scarcity of Lepidoptera during the past
* Contains new species other than North American. + Contains new genera.
188 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [November,
Summer, both in the field and at the electric lights. He had caught two
specimens of 7Zerias nicippe and a female of Pamphila campestris in
Fairmount Park. Both of these species are rare here, the latter being
exceedingly rare. Dr. Castle stated that he had visited his old locality
for Blaps similis at Alexandria, Va., and had not found any owing to
trenches having been dug in the immediate neighborhood and filled
with boiling water. Mr. Welles had found Lycomorphus pholus very
abundant at Elwyn, Delaware County, Pa. Dr. Skinner exhibited the
insects collected by Mr. Mengel and Dr. Hughes on the west coast of
Greenland. There were about 25 specimens of Hymenoptera, 166 Dip-
tera, 8 Coleoptera, 106 butterflies and 143 moths. Mr. Seeber exhibited
and presented 260 Hymenoptera, 65 Diptera and 2 Neuroptera, all taken
in and around the city. He had found that in using a cyanide bottle that
constantly opening it greatly deteriorated its killing qualities, and in the
future he intended to try ether, as he could then replenish the killing
bottle with ether when necessary. Dr. Horn said that his work on Agrilus
was finished, and he exhibited all the known species of our faunal limits,
54 species all told, 22 of which were described as new. He had dealt
with but one unique; most species were exceedingly well represented.
They are readily separated into groups by pretty good characters. Some
of the characters noted and described were new. He also stated that he
had recently been studying Amara and some other things. Mr. Westcott
spoke of the good luck he had had in collecting moths at sugar, etc., but
had found diurnals very scarce. Mr. Nathan Banks, of Washington, was
proposed as an associate of the Section.—H. SKINNER, Recorder.
OBITUARY
Epwarp W. Janson, died in London, Sept. 14, 1891, aged 69. He
was especially known to entomologists as a dealer in insects, boxes and
appliances. While he possessed skill and judgment as an entomologist,
he has written but little; preferring to devote his talents to the assistance
of others. He possessed what is probably the best collection of Elateridz
known, having acquired the first typical series from Dr. Candéze by pur-
chase. His library was very full, and was especially rich in pamphlets.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws for October was mailed September 29, 1891.
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ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENEGHOLOGIa SECTION, |
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. II. DECEMBER, 1891. No. 10.
CONTENTS:
s
Bruce—Sphingidz of Colorado........... 190 | Calvert—A new genus and species of
Banks—Synonymical Notes in Spiders.. 193 Odonata «i-c:2=ss0c:0- sce 199
Fox—Hymenopterological Notes...-----. 194 | Cresson—A_ Conjecture ssca-sesseoreesersenene 200
Skinuner—Elementary Entomology....... 196 | Notes and NeWS.........- samipasneipanshussseseos 206
Townsend—A Tachinid Parasite of Entomological Literature... ...ccesssseceeees 209
Chrysophanus dione....... ...--.-..++++++ 197 |. Doings of Societies........Gitssssssssstessns--. 212
Our illustration represents some butterflies which were photo-
graphed to see if the colors could be identified by a color key.
The possibility of this has been investigated by Mr. J. F. Sachse,
editor of the ‘‘ American Journal of Photography,’’ who read a
paper on the subject before the Photographic Society of Phila-
delphia entitled, ‘‘ A Suggestion for a Possible Method of Iden-
tifying Colors Photographed.’’ It can readily be seen how useful
such a method would be in the illustration of Natural seeery
objects.
We quote from the paper above referred to ‘‘ The production.
of orthochromatic or color-stained plates, which will yield nega-
tives or prints giving approximately true color values is at present
one of the active problems of the photographic world, attracting
the attention of specialists and active researchers in almost every
country.’’ Ever since the orthochromatic principle was first
broached, the hope was fostered that by some means, in addition
to giving true color value, it would become possible to find a
method to distinguish or identify by the print the colors of the
original. ‘‘In connection with this subject I wish to bring to
your notice a suggestion for a simple method by which this much
desired object may be obtained, at least under certain conditions
in suitable subjects. The suggestion, as you will see, is simply
Io
ao. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. —__ [December,
to photograph a color key along with the subject, which shall
explain itself. The first picture, a print of eight butterflies, se-
lected on account of their varied colors, which comprised lemon-
yellow, brilliant blue, blood-red, orange, bright red and black.”’
The colors of. the key are marked with letters which identify the
colors, and by comparing the key with the colors of the print,
the colors of the butterflies may be determined. We only have
sufficient space to quote a few sentences from this interesting
paper of Mr. Sachse, and will merely state that the paper attracted
great attention, both here and abroad, and it has been translated
into several languages and reprinted in some of the English pho-
tographic journals. This plate, like others we have published,
was made by the Crosscup & West Company of Philadelphia,
and we are indebted for the loan of the plate to the kindness of
Mr. Sachse.
oO.
Vv
The Sphingidz of Colorado.
By Davip BRUCE.
1. Hemaris sp.?—A small species, is not uncommon among
yellow flowering Azbes'in May and early June, near Denver and
just in the foothills; it is very like AH rubens H. Edw., but is
smaller; it agrees pretty well in size and color with Mr. Strecker’s
description of HZ. senta, and may be that species.
2. Hemaris Brucet French.—On blossoms of Mertensia in
‘July, above 10,000 feet elevation near South Park; not common.
3. Lepisesia flavofasciata Barnst.—On flowers of Rzdes in June,
same places as last species; have taken the larva and bred it; it
feeds on Epilobium in August; not common.
4. Lepisesia Clarkie Bdl.—Not rare in western Colorado in —
June; very partial to flowers of Ph/ox and allied plants, and when
thus engaged, easy to capture.
5. Amphion nessus Cram,—Not uncommon in Clear Creek and
Platte Cafions below 6000 feet elevation; fond of damp places by
the sides of irrigating ditches, frequently alighting on mud; this
habit I have not observed in any other of the Sphingide.
6. Detlophila Chamoenerit Harr.—Common throughout Colo-
rado and frequent at light; I have found the larvee on Apdlobinm.
7. Deilephila lineata Fab.—Abundant everywhere, flying by
4 &
[1891. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. fo) a
day and night; I have found it on the mountain tops at 14,000
feet elevation, the larve sometimes occurring by thousands on
low plants near north Denver in boggy places.
8. Cherocampa tersa Linn.—One example only, found on a
window in the Union Depot, Denver, probably attracted by light.
9. Philampelus achemon Dru.—Larve very common on Am-
pelopsis and Grape from Denver City to about.7500 in the Cajfions;
the moth occasionally at light.
10. Dilophonota ello Linn.—Not rare at light from Denver to
Utah, all I have taken in Colorado are rather light colored.
11. Protoparce celeus Burm.—Common all over the State, ap-
parently getting more abundant every year, June and September,
probably a part of the larva give moths the same season.
12. Protoparce carolina Linn.—Occasionally at light (Denver).
13. Sphinx drupiferarum S. & A.—Very common at light all
over the State; the large form (var. wtahensis H. Edw.) frequently
in central and western Colorado; larvee common on wild plum.
14. Sphinx perelegans Hy. Edw.—Uncommon at light in
central and western Colorado; my examples are larger than Cali-
fornia specimens.
15. Sphinx vashti Strecker.—Not rare; I have taken it wher-
ever I have collected in the State east or west; varies in size and
color. I have them from 2% inches to 35% inches in extent. I
am not surprised that it has received several names.
16. Sphinx gordius Cram.—Not rare in central and western
Colorado. I have never taken it near Denver; Colorado exam-
ples are very large (I have some extending four inches) and show
the soft warm color of /uscitiosa.
17. Sphinx luscitiosa.—Not very rare; at light and over flowers
in the evening in Denver City. I have also taken it flying by
day over flowers.
18. Sphinx oreodaphne Edw.—Common in central Colorado.
Mr. Hy. Edwards saw several of my examples and identified
them as the form he had so named; the Colorado specimens are
a clear gray, with fine markings, and extend 3% to 334 inches.
I have seen nothing in Colorado like the eastern chersis.
19. Sphinx coloradus Smith.—Not very rare in western Colo-
rado. I have beaten it from Cedars and taken it at light. It is so
variable in size and distinctness of markings that I think S. Doldiz
Neum. may be a small form of this species.
i9eue" | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
20. Sphinx lugens Wik.—At light and over flowers at dusk;
not uncommon round Denver.
21. Triptogon occidentalis H. Edw.—Common throughout the
State; larvae frequent on Poplars of any species. I have bred a
great number; they are easily reared from the egg; have fed them
on Cottonwood, in Denver, until half grown and then brought
them home to New York State and gave them Willow until full-
grown, with no evil result. Simerinthus imperator Strecker, if
not a true species, deserves its name. This form is very robust,
and the markings very distinct and high colored. I found a full
grown larva on Cottonwood in August; it was very dark green
compared with the larva of occidentalis (of which I had at the
time many feeding) and larger than any I had before met with;
this larva pupated, and, to my surprise, produced an imago, in
September the same year, of the zmperator form; it was a 9
5% inches in extent of wings. I havea @ precisely of the same
stamp taken in west Colorado measuring 5% inches in expanse.
I have a series of the ordinary occidentalis form, all selected for
their good size and color, and the difference between these and
the zmperator form is obvions enough.
22. Smerinthus geminatus Say.—Rather common throughout
the State; the late brood has pale upper wings and the rose color
on under wings is very bright.
23. Smerinthus astarte Strecker.—This insect is rather common
on trunks of Cottonwoods and comes freely to light; it varies
interminably in size, coloration and outline of upper wings. I
have bred quite a number from the eggs, and occasionally found
the full grown larva on Populus angustifolia, and in confinement
it thrives best on that tree.
24. Paontas exceecatus,—Occasionally comes to light, but is
not common; all I have seen are high colored.
25. Paonias myops.—Common throughout the State, comes
freely to light and the larvee frequent on Choke Cherry. I have
not seen eastern examples so brightly colored as some I found in
western Colorado. |
There are decidedly two generations of the last four species
every year.
The damage to the cereal crops in Canada by insects has been estimated
at $38,000,000.—( Newspaper Entomology.)
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 193
Synonymical Notes in Spiders.
By NATHAN BANKs.
DRASSIDE.
Anyphena rubra Em. = A. (clubiona) gracilis Hentz.
Pythonissa sericata Koch. = P. (herpyllus). bicolor Hentz.
AGALENID-.
Amaurobius sylvestris Em. = A. (ciniflo) bennetti Blk.
THERIDIDA.
T) Sebi brassice Fitch = 7. frondeum Hentz.
Theridium hypophyllum Fitch =a $ Dictyna.
As it cannot be farther identified it may be dropped from the
lists.
Erigone zonaria Keys = Bathyphantes micaria Em.
EPEIRID.
LEipeira decipiens Fitch = £.. displicata Hentz.
Epeira canadensis Blk. = Cyclosa conica Pallas.
Epetra approximata Blk..—= E. trifolium Hentz.
Lpeira rubella Hentz = £. directa Hentz.
Epeira spiculata Hentz = E. placida Hentz.
Tetragnatha armigera Blk.
This is probably 7: dadoriosa Hentz; it eats does not per-
tain to anything different from 7. grallator, T. extensa and
T. laboriosa, and so inay be dropped from the lists. It
cannot be recognized as different.
LYCOSID.
Lycosa nidicola Em. = R. babingtonz Blk.
Lycosa maritima Hentz = Trochosa cinerea Fab.
Pardosa albopatella Em. = P (Lycosa) minima Keys.
Pardosa nigra Stone = Aulonia? (Lycosa) funerea Hentz.
ATTID.
leius vittatus Keys = Icius mitratus Hentz.
Salticus sundevalli Blk. = Marptusa familiaris Hentz.
In my paper on ‘‘ Hentz Spiders’? in Ent. News for May,
1891, Dendryphantes capitatus (Hentz) Peck. and D. octavus -
Hentz were so printed as to appear as distinct species;
whereas, as might be observed from the text, it was intended
that the former should stand as a synonym of the latter.
194 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
HYMENOPTEROLOGICAL NOTES.—I.
By WILLIAM J. Fox, Phila., Pa.
Larra aurantia n. sp.
2.—Black, the abdomen orange. Head and thorax with exceedingly
fine, even punctures; front with a faintly impressed line, which begins at
the base of antennz and extend to the anterior ocellus, beginning again
from a strong curved fovez, behind the posterior ocelli, it extends to the
top of the vertex; the space between the ocelli much swollen, with a deep,
curved sulcus on each side, which almost connécts with the foveze behind
the posterior ocelli; the face somewhat excavated on each side, behind
the base of the antennz; the anterior portion of the clypeus shining,
strongly punctured, with a transverse furrow before its margin, which has
an exceedingly slight tooth each side just before its lateral angles; eyes
strongly converging towards the top, the distance between them at this ~
point barely equal to the length of the second and third antennal joints
united; antennz shorter than head and thorax together, tapering to the
apex, flagellum brownish, with a microscopic pile; scape short and stout,
‘narrowed one-half towards the base, in length about equal to the third
antennal joint, this latter joint is about four times longer than the pre-
ceding one, and about equal to the following joint, the fifth and sixth
joints longest; scutellum and post-scutellum with a very faint medial im-
pressed line; metathorax above finely roughened, with a few indistinct,
longitudinal striz at the base, the posterior face more strongly roughened,
with a distinct medial sulcus, which is broadest basally, the furrow not
reaching to the apex; wings fusco-hyaline, nervures dark, the distance
between the first transverse-cubital nervure and the first recurrent nervure
is greater than the space between the first and second recurrent nervures
on the cubital nervure. Legs black, finely punctured, the tibial spurs and
the tarsi ferruginous; posterior femora within glabrous. Abdomen orange,
the apical margins of the segments subopaque, beneath it is marked with
dark blotches; pygidium with a few scattered punctures, towards the apex
with sparse, bright hairs. Length 14—15 mm.
Two specimens; Montana.
Larra punctifrons n. sp.
2 .—Black, slightly shining; sides of the face and thorax with sparse,
silvery-sericeous pile. Head and thorax with fine, even punctures, more
fine on the cheeks and pleurz; clypeus strongly convex, the posterior
half finely punctured and subopaque, the anterior half polished, and with
large scattered punctures, a transverse furrow before the anterior margin,
the latter being polished and entire; front bituberculate above the antennz;
a distinct impressed line begins immediately behind the tubercles and ex-
tends to the lower ocellus, beginning again behind this ocellus, it passes
up through a strong swelling between the posterior ocelli to the base of
the occiput, behind the posterior ocelli there is a strong fovez; eyes
strongly converging towards the top, the distance between them at this
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 195
point is equal to the length of the scape and second antennal joints united;
antennz shorter than head and thorax together, tapering to the apex, the
third joint shorter than the fourth, which is slightly longer than the fifth
joint; scape much narrowed to the base, punctate beneath; dorsulum with
a longitudinal depression on each side near the tegulz, the latter as well
as the apical portion of the tarsi, rufo-testaceous; metathorax above very
finely granulated or shagreened, with a slight, polished, longitudinal line
medially; tibize and tarsi strongly spinose, the inner side of posterior pair
clothed with dense, sericeous pile. Wings with a slight yellowish tinge,
nervures brownish, the distance between the first recurrent and the first
transverse-cubital nervure is distinctly less than the breadth of the second
submarginal cell at the top, and is about equal to the space between the
first and second recurrent nervures on the cubital nervure. Abdomen
smooth, the apical margins of the segments obscurely rufo-testaceous,
* the first three segments with a silvery, apical band; pygidium shining,
convex, with sparse, large punctures; beneath, the abdomen has a few
stiff hairs. Length 12 mm.
This. species has a wide range, as I have one from Camden
County, N. J., taken Sept. 12, 1891, and two others from Mon-
tana. Resembles LZ. pennsylvanica, but the metathorax is not
striated as in that species. I think, however, it is more closely
related to Z. acuta Patton.
Trypoxylon ornatipes Mihi.
T. ornatipes Fox, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. vol. xviii, p. 148, 1891.
The original description of this species was drawn up from a
very dirty specimen, and as I have since received a fresh example
from Mr. C. W. Johnson, collected in the vicinity of Philadelphia,
I am able to detect several characters not mentioned in the first
description, viz.: beginning on the apical portion of the sixth
joint the antennz are distinctly thickened, this is also the case
with joints 10-12, these joints being stouter than joints 6-9, the
second antennal joint is larger than the third, the latter being a
little more than half as long as the fourth joint; the space between
eyes at the top is broader than the length of the three first an-
tennal joints united. All the legs in this specimen are yellowish.
In line 10 of the previous description for mesonotum read meta-
notum.
Steniolia duplicata Prov.
S. duplicata Prov., Add. Hym. Queb. p. 414, Qo’. Nov., 1888.
S. scolopacea Hdl., Sitz. k. Akad. Wiss. Wien. xcviii, p. 510, Qf’. ’*89.
I lcan see no reason why duplicata and scolopacea should be
separated. I have specimens which agree with the descriptions
196 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
of both authors, and with the figure of scolopacea given by Cam-
eron (Biol. Cent. Amer. Hym. ii, pl. 6, fig. 11). . As Handlirsch
makes no mention of dup/icata in his monograph, it is evident
that he either did not see the description at all, or that he re-
ceived it too late to have it inckaded in his work.
Miscophus americanus Mihi. :
Since describing this. species, which was founded on a eneke
specimen, I have taken ten additional specimens, among which
were, fortunately, several,males. These latter are slightly smaller _
than the females, and differ otherwise as follows: the posterior
face of the metathorax with irregular, strong, transverse stria- _
tions, with a strong medial sulcus, which begins from a strong
fovez; the marginal cell is subangular beneath. Leng 3-3: 51am
Gorytes microcephalus Hand. .
Described originally from Georgia. I have two ee
from Camden County, N. J., June 28, 1891. This will probably
prove to be the male of G. zedulosus Pack.
Gorytes floridanus. ;
Hoplisus foveolatus Fox (nec. Handl.), Entom. News, vol. i, 1890.
I propose the name floridanus for this species, as Hoplisus and
Gorytes have been merged into one, and there being a Gorytes
Soveolatus described in 1888.
Agenia caliptera Say.
This species described as Pompilus, bpalauede to “cue ‘I have
two specimens from Philadelphia and Camden County, N. J.,
June 28, 1891, respectively, which agree with Say’s description.
Mr. Cresson, in his ‘‘ Notes on the Pompilide,’’ doubtfully re-
ferred this species to Agenda, but as he did not see any specimens
this note verifies it.
(To be continued.)
ray
U
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
LEPIDOPTERA.
The next family to be considered is the Papilionide. It con-
sists mostly of quite large species which are found all over the
world, and they may be known by the front legs of both sexes
being perfect and always used in locomotion. Quitea number
1891. | | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 197
are provided with a lanceolate appendage upon the fore tibize, but
this also occurs in the Hesperide. The caterpillars are naked,
and the chrysalis is attached by the tail and has a loose girth
around the middle and the head points upward. The family is
divided into the Papilioninze and the Pierinz, and they may be
separated as follows: In the Pierinze the antennz are straight,
median nervure of fore wings with three branches, hind wings
partially enclosing abdomen, fore tibiz with no epiphysis, claws
bifid. The Papilioninz have the antenne more or less arcuate,
median nervure of fore wings with four branches, hind wings not
enclosing the abdomen, fore tibize with a distinct epiphysis on the
inner side, claws simple and long. The last family, the Hesper-
idze, are generally small butterflies, and sombre in appearance.
The body is robust, and the head broad, the antenne are widely
separated at the base and curved or crooked at the tip; their
flight is peculiar, and they are often called ‘‘skippers’’ on account
of its jerky character. When at rest the front pair of wings are
more elevated than the hind pair, and this gives them an odd and
characteristic appearance. The character of the antenne, their
peculiar flight and the drooping of the inferior wings enable this
family to be readily recognized. The Hesperide are well repre-
sented in this country, but their true home seems to be tropical
America, where the species are very numerous.—ED.
va’
Vv
A Tachinid Parasite of Chrysophanus dione.
Exorista chrysophani 2. sp.
By C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND, Las Cruces, N. Mex.
The following is a description of a 7achinid received from Mr.
Chas. W. Johnson, of Philadelphia, and which bears the label:
‘From chrysalis of Chrysophanus dione June g, Iowa.”
Generic. characters.—Eyes thickly hairy; front and face of 9
about one-third width. of head, which is a little wider than the
thorax and abdomen ; frontal bristles extending a little below base
of antennz; two orbital bristles in 9. Antennz about as long
as face; second joint hardly elongate, third joint two or three
times as long as second; arista thickened half its length, micro-
scopically pubescent, distinctly 3-jointed, the second joint quite
strongly elongated; front hardly prominent, face receding; sides
198 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
of face bare, rather narrow, facial depression much widened
below; facial ridges bare, except a few weak bristles above vi-
brissze, the latter inserted well above the oral margin; cheeks
narrow, hairy on lower portions. Proboscis withdrawn, short,
fleshy, labella well developed; palpi very distinct, considerably
thickened at tip. Abdomen not wide, short, oval or elliptical,
first joint hardly shortened; macrochetz only marginal, except
on anal segment. Legs not long; metatarsi nearly as long as
following joints; hind tibize with fringe of bristles on outer edge.
Wings longer than abdomen, not wide, without costal spine;
apical cell narrowly open, ending well before tip of wing; fourth
vein bent at an obtuse angle, without stump or wrinkle; hind
cross-vein nearer to bow of fourth vein.
Exorista chrysophani nov. sp. ¢.—Black, silvery. Eyes brown; front,
face and cheeks silvery, the front shading to brassy or golden; frontal
vitta about one-fourth width of front, black or dark brown, fringed behind;
antenne and arista wholly black, second antennal joint bristly; cheeks
cinereous and hairy on lower portions, with some bristles on lower border;
proboscis and palpi black, or brown; occiput cinereous, gray hairy, with
broad black band from: vertex to center, fringed with black hairs on orbi-
tal margins. Thorax cinereous, or silvery pollinose, hairy and bristly,
with three narrow, well defined, median black vittz, and a heavier inter- -
rupted one outside them; scutellum ochreous, blackish at base, with an
apical decussate pair of macrocheete and three lateral pairs. Abdomen
covered with short black bristles; first segment entirely black, without
macrochetz; second and third segments shining black, broadly silvery at
base with a brassy tinge; second segment with a median marginal pair of
macrochetz and a lateral one; third segment with a marginal row, six _
or eight of which are on upper surface; anal segment shining jet black,
very narrowly silvery at base, armed with macrochztz and bristly hairs.
Legs black, femora slightly silvery, femora and tibie bristly; claws and
pulvilli short. Wings grayish hyaline, third vein spined at base; hind
cross-vein sinuate; tegulz tawny white, borders darker; halteres fuscous.
Length 5.5 mm.; of wing 4.5 mm.
Described from one specimen; Iowa.
Mr. Johnson writes: ‘‘ Two specimens were given to me by
Dr. Skinner. They are from Iowa, and came out of the chrysalis —
of Chrysophanus dione, the larve having been sent to Dr. Skin-
ner by Mr. Henry G. Willard. I infer, therefore, that they were
accidentally bred by Dr. Skinner. I had at first thought it nec-
essary to describe this form as a new genus, but subsequent re-
flection has induced me to locate it in EAxorista, from which it
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 199
differs appreciably only in the elongate second aristal joint, and
the vibrisse being inserted at a short distance above the oral
margin. Besides, Messrs. Brauer and von Bergenstamm have
erected several new genera which are founded on practically the
same characters.”’
D
Vv
A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF ODONATA
FROM JAMAICA.
By Puivip P. CALVERT.
ORTHOLESTES n. gen.
Wings ceasing to be petioled just before the first postcostal
cross-vein. Median sector arising from the principal at less than
one-third the distance from the arculus to the nodus, the subnodal
one cell after the median. Quadrilateral distinctly trapezoidal,
superior side longer than one-half the inferior, internal side one-
third to one-fourth the inferior. Ultra-nodal sector unbroken,
or but very slightly angulated; subnodal and short sectors hardly
more angulated. Nodal sector arising from two-and-a-half to
four cells after the nodus. No supplementary sectors between
the median and short sectors. With supplementary sectors,
forming an irregular network (7-16 marginal cells), between the
subnodal and median sectors, Pterostigma three times as long
as broad. Hairs of the feet long.
0. clara n. sp.—Abdomen ¢/ 38 mm., 2 29-31. Hind wing ¢/ 29, 2
25-27. Yellow and dark brown or black. Labrum, epistoma and frons,
dark metallic blue. Abdomen dark brown, 3-7 with a yellow basal ring;
17-23 postcubitals.
3.—Superior appendages forcipated, dilated to form two rounded, in-
ferior ante-apical teeth. Inferior appendages half as long.
© .—Appendages longer than the last segment. Dorsal apical half of
g bright yellow.
Described from one ¢; one ? from Kingston, Jamaica, May,
1890, by Mr. E. M. Aaron, to whose kindness I am indebted for
them; one %, Kingston, by Mr. Wm. J. Fox, (Amer. Ent. Soc.
coll.); one 9, Jamaica, Mr. Charles W. Johnson (Wagn. Ins.
coll.). :
This interesting form belongs to the Legion Lestes Selys. A
detailed description will appear later.
200 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
A CONJECTURE. .
By CHARLEs C, Cresson, Germantown, Phila., Pa.
In reading of the immense congregations of Butterflies, that
sometimes have been observed in the Fall of the year, it is an — a
interesting subject for reflection as to the Divine intention in en-
dowing them with the instinct of collecting together, and the
purpose intended to be carried out. This habit of immense con-
gregations is not confined to Butterflies, but is to be observed in
an unknown number of other animals. Our American Buffalo,
or Bison, collect in very large herds at a certain season of the
year, as Catlin relates, for the purpose of continuing the species;
and when so collected, the bulls forthwith commence to struggle
and fight with each other, the stronger conquer the weaker ones,
and then choose such mates as please them. The large congre-
gation then separates into little family groups, each with its own
masculine head, and so enters on to the business of multiplication
and addition, and then remains in peace and quiet until the next
annual return of the season for reassembling—A clear and mani-
fest instance of the ‘‘ Survival of the Fittest,’’ the most powerful
bulls continuing the species, and many of the weak ones being
killed or disabled. The Wolves congregate in packs for mutual
assistance, then prowl around these herds and families, hunting
for something to devour; and when they find a stray Buffalo, too
much alone for its own good, they attack him, her, or it (the
calf), as the case may be, and breakfast, or dine, on their prey
(as described by Catlin).
The Norwegian Lemming, as described in the ‘‘ Encyclopedia
Brittanica’’ and elsewhere, occasionally migrate in great numbers,
pursuing their course in a straight line, regardless of every ob-
stacle, and consuming everything eatable in their way (Baird).
Their usual course is from the East to the West; they swim over
rivers and lakes until they arrive at the Atlantic Ocean; then they
continue to follow their leaders, plunge together into the ocean
and swim out to sea; they never swim back again, but all are
drowned in the mighty waters. On their journey from their
home to the ocean (which lasts sometimes for over a year) they ae
procreate and largely increase the congregation. The young and
old keep straight on, and all perish in the company of each other. —
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 201
At the home they have left, remains a sufficient number to get up
another exodus in due season (‘‘ Encyc. Brittanica’’ condensed).
We thus see that the Buffaloes congregate for procreation; the
Wolves for mutual assistance in hunting, and the Lemmings to
search for food, when the supply at home is insufficient for their
support. ;
Zodlogy, as a part of animal history, gives us accounts of
similar congregations and migrations of other animals, congre-
gating and migrating together, for different reasons. Swallows,
Cranes, Blackbirds, Reedbirds and Pigeons, going North or
South, according to the season, to avoid the cold. Wild Ducks
and Geese going North to procreate, in seclusion, where their
great enemy, man, is at a distance, and where their food is in
abundance.*
Some kinds of caterpillars, in their migrations, in passing over
our railroads in the far West, have so anointed the rails with their
carcasses, crushed by the passing wheels, as to impede the pro-
gress of the trains. The great herds of Buffaloes, at the times
of their congregations, have sometimes also seriously impeded
the progress of the railroad trains. This may have been one
reason for destroying and exterminating the Buffaloes. Another
reason appears to have been the desire to weaken the Indians by
destroying their food. The profit accruing from their hides and
horns was, no doubt, another-reason. These three principal in-
terests being in conjunction, the Buffaloes had to go.
Now, in view of the above facts, or supposed facts, it becomes
an interesting Conjecture as to what is the Divine intention in
‘endowing animals with such destructive instincts. The Human
animals in their instinctive struggles as to procreation, food,
homes and other worldly possessions, proceed to congregate into
armies, with their weapons of war, and so proceed, with all con-
ceivable craft and force, to thin out the human crop on the earth,
in their struggles with each other ( just as do the Buffaloes), and
* In the park of Schloss Ruhleben, according to a local correspondent of a Berlin journal,
a Stork set up his house some years ago, and regularly every Spring has returned to his
nest, along with his ‘‘ wife.’”” There was a doubt expressed last year whether it-was the
same bird who returned year after year. In order to prove the matter, a steel ring was
fastened around the left leg of the male Stork, and the name of his European residence
engraved upon the ring. When the Stork again appeared this present Spring, he had a
ting on each leg. His human friends in his Eastern home had fastened a silver ring to his
right | leg, and on it was engraved the inscription, ‘‘ India sends her greeting to Germany.”
—Christian Intelligencer.
202 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December, —
thus obtain elbow room for the survivors. In the ‘‘ Survival of
the Fittest,’’ history tells us that the fiées¢is the party best quali- __
fied to kill (not to cure) and to destroy (not to build up); and so
civilization suffers.
Now, to speak on the subject of the Conjecture. of the But-
terflies that congregate on the coast, some are probably blown
from thence out to sea to become food for fishes; some remaining
on the land become the food of birds, or are otherwise destroyed,
and so leave few or none as successors to continue the species.
It may be the Divine intention thus to reduce the superabundant
number of Butterflies so that the food, provided in the ordinary
course of nature, will be sufficient for those left behind. If the
proper food were scanty or absent in the localities where the great
swarms of Butterflies deposited their eggs, the young products
of the eggs would not be able to carry on their usual changes,
and would die of starvation. And so the continuity of the spe-
cies be discontinued so far as they would be concerned, as a result
of a superabundance of larvee, to the supply of food.
As to the sea-going instinct of the Lemmings, it appears as if
no other account or purpose can be thought of, except that 7#zs
an instinct intended to reduce their superabundant numbers. And —
as to the Divine intention in drowning them, it appears as if
drowning were Divinely considered to be the very easiest and
surest form of death. In this connection we may very properly
turn to the Holy Scriptures in our researches on this matter.
They may be, by some, disregarded as an authority in scientific
matters, but with others (including the writer) they are the highest
authority, so far as they speak, on any subject they speak of.
In the Scriptures we find the following historical records in
Exodus, chapter x, verses 12-21:
‘“And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over
‘the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon ~
‘‘the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that
‘the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the
‘‘land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the
‘land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning,
the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up
‘ over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: —
‘ very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts 4
‘as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered | hg
. 1891. ] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 203
“« the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and
‘they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees
‘‘ which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing
‘‘in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of
‘‘Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste;
‘‘and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and
‘‘against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only
‘‘this once, and intreat the Lord your God, that he may take
‘‘away from me this death only. And he went out from Pharaoh,
‘*and intreated the Lord. And the Lord turned a mighty strong
‘west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the
‘“Red Sea; there remained NOT ONE locust in all the coasts of
‘‘Egypt. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he
‘* would not let the children of Israel go.’’
Here it is evident that it was the deliberate intention of the
Divine Being to destroy the Locusts by drowning them in the
Red Sea.
How the Divine Being thought best to proceed when desiring
to cleanse the Earth, and why He did it, is shown clearly and
unmistakably in Genesis, chapters vi and vii.
Chapter vi, vs. 5-18: ‘‘ And God saw that the wickedness of
‘‘man was great in the earth, and: that every imagination of the
‘‘ thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented
‘the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved
‘‘him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom
‘*T have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast,
‘fand the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth
““me that I have made them. But: Noah found grace in the eyes
‘‘of the Lord These are the generations of Noah: Noah was
‘‘a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked
‘‘with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and
‘‘Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth
‘‘ was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and,
‘‘ behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon
‘the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is
‘come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through
‘‘them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. . Make
“thee an ark of gopher wood;’’ (etc. vs. 14-16). ‘‘ And, behold,
**T, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, Zo destroy
“all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and
204 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
‘everything that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I
‘establish my cawenent; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou,
‘‘and thy sons’’ (ete. vs. 18-22).
Chapter vii (vs. 1-20, a specific account of the Flood), vs. 21= _
24: ‘‘ And a// flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, _
‘‘and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that
‘‘creepeth upon the earth, and every man: all in whose nostrils
‘“was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And
‘every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face
‘‘of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things,
‘‘and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the
‘earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with
‘‘him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an
‘* hundred and fifty days.’’
We see by these recorded cases that the Divine Being deliber-
ately drowned the Human race in the Flood, and drowned the
Locusts in the Red Sea, just to get rid of them. It was His way;
simple in design and execution, and perfectly effectual. There
was not one man /eft, except Noah and his family; and of one
locust. It is probably impossible for any man to show, in more
distinct words and language, the unmistakable and deliberate de-
termination of the Divine Being to destroy the whole Human
race on the earth, except Noah, who was spared for the reasons
given in Genesis vi, g-10. He destroyed all life ‘‘ which was upon
the face of the ground’’ (vii, 23), probably all life, animal and
vegetable, excepting fresh water fishes, and those forms of vege-
table life having their proper habitat in fresh water. His reasons
for so doing, are also just as clearly and definitely given and re-
corded, as if done to justify Himself to His creature, man, in His
course of action, as related in the history of the Flood.
To those who do not believe in God, nor in the Bible, nor the
Flood, nor any other miracle, it might be a subject of interesting
contemplation to consider the extraordinary action of the Nor-
wegian Lemmings. It appears to me to be unaccountable on
— principles, so far as I understand them. There is here
‘‘ Survival of the Fittest’’ to hand down this sea-going suicidal
ini (or impulse, or instinct, or habit, or any other name
that may be given to it) from generation to generation; all are
destroyed, mot one survives. There appears to be a kind of cul-
mination of circumstances leading to the fatal termination of their
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 205
travels. These little creatures, apparently unconscious of their
approaching disaster, go merrily on, crossing the waters of rivers
and lakes, one after another, successfully and safely; and thus
encouraged by their success and safety, plunge into the ocean,
probably expecting successfully and safely to reach the other
shore. But modern science has no account to give us of their
arrival in Canada or these United States. of one of them has
successfully arrived on our side of the Atlantic in modern times.*
In conclusion, I look upon it as impossible to establish my
foregoing Conjecture as a general Fact, by means of specific
facts observed or recorded, and by reasonings thereon, viz.: that
the Divine Being, desiring to dispose of, or get rid of superabun-
dant animal life by means of drowning, endowed the Lemmings
with instincts, deliberately intended, for the specific purpose of
thinning them out in that way. The immense congregations of
Butterflies may, in some way, have the same intention of thinning
out their superabundant numbers. I may say, however, that such
a conjecture appears to me to be probable, yet also, that it is only
conjecture, and must always remain to be such to the end of time.
There is no end to conjecture; too much of it is not profitable
and is unsatisfying. Its real use is to stimulate research, and
observation, and reflection. Conjectures are boundless in their
nature, and can only be established as facts, or errors, by patient
and intelligent research.
The writer would be glad to have the opinions of any readers
of ENTOMOLOGICAL News on this subject, with any facts that
have influenced their conclusions; not as matters of disputation
or contention, but for the true advancement of science, and to
increase our knowledge of Nature.
* The presence of Lemmings in the northern part of North America, of species different
from those now in Norway, seems to indicate that in remote ages, such a condition of
things existed as to climate, as enabled the Lemmings to pass westward from Norway to
America. It is believed by some scientists that, in the remote past, Greenland and other
north polar regions had a climate different from its present glacial character. Later re-
searches have discovered fossil remains of trees, etc., with forms now belonging to the
temperate and tropical zones of the earth. It may be that the species of Lemmings, now
in North America, are descendents of those who passed from one continent to the other
in those remote times when the differences of climate made such a passage possible to them.
A recent importation of orange trees into California from Tahiti showed
them to be infested by a new insect, and the authorities will not allow
them to be landed.—( Newspaper Entomology.)
I0o*
206 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS _ .
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[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws solicit, and will thankfully rebive it
of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. «The author’s name will be given
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In the future all papers received for publication in the News bei. td
printed according to date of reception.
NOTICE.— Those who wish to continue their subscriptions to Ento-—
mological News for the coming year, will please indicate their desire
to the Treasurer (see second page of cover) before January Ist, next,
The price will be the ssame—One Dollar. We hope to make volume
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help up do so.— Ep.
Homohadena infixa (Walker).—The genus Homohadena, disting digas ;
from the Haden (Hadena, Luperina and Hylophasia) by\having no ab-
dominal tufts, revised by Prof. J. B. Smith (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. xiii,
pp. 397-405) in 1891, and having for its type H. badistriga Grote, affords
an unrecorded synonymy. Hadena infixa Walk. and A. incomitata
Harvey were described from rubbed specimens, hence their identity with
badistriga was not recognized. The species occurs at Hartford; Conn.,
and throughout the region east of the Great Plains.
Homohadena infixa (Walk.)
Hadena infixa Walker.
Homohadena incomitata Harvey.
Homohadena badistriga Grote (unrubbed variety).
Ws. Hampton Patton, Hartford, Conn.
WHILE collecting near Knoxville, Tenn., on the 4th of last July, and
also later during the same month I took winged specimens (both ¢ and
Q) of Stephania picta. Previous to this but a single winged specimen
(a 2) of this Hemipter has been recorded (by Uhler, in ‘‘ Standard
Natural History’’). In addition to the full-winged form, there occurred
in still greater numbers a short-winged form; the thorax of this had same
structure as full-winged form (see ‘‘Standard Nat. Hist.’’). I shall be
glad to correspond with hemipterologists concerning this and other rari-
ties, and regarding exchanges.
H. E. Summers, 71 N. Water St., Rochester, N. Y.
CAUSE OF PEACH YELLOws.—What renders the peach-tree s) ’
to the bacterium present in the disease known as the “ yellows” is prob- |
ably the mite (Bryobia pratensis Garman; for description see “Insect
Life,” vol. iii, No.2, fig. 4, September, 1890, p. 47) which attacks the tree
in countless numbers, thus lessening its vitality ‘and causing
change color. This mite I found to be very plénty in Co
2)
1891.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. \ 207
Its orange-colored eggs cover the bark in Winter, especially about the
buds, ready to hatch with the opening of the leaves in Spring. Grafts of
these buds would thus inoculate other trees. The Yellows Mite would
be an appropriate name.—W™m. Hampton Patton, Hartford, Conn,
Amphion nessus appeared long in advance of the blossoming of Blue
Flag—/Jris versicolor; this year at least. During a very hot, Summer-
like spell of weather late in April, one of my friends, who missed me
leaving for the suburbs on a Sunday’s collecting tour, saw two specimens
of A. nessus feeding on the flowers of the lovely Mountain Pink—.Si/ene
pennsylvanica, which covers the rocky ledges of the open forest. This
Wild Pink usually blossoms in this vicinity from the last week of April
until the middle of May. My friend being provided with only a cyanide
bottle for mothing, could not take any of the specimens seen on that day.
From the last week of May until after the middle of following month I
watched in vain for the appearance of this Sphingid on the flowers of
Blue Flag.—RicHARD E. Kunze, M.D.
WHILE summering in the Nutmeg State this year a friend of mine found
insects very plentiful; some kinds rather too plentiful, in fact. He used
to sit up nights and catch them. Some of them came in at the window,
and some didn’t.. Thereby hangs a tale. At first he was mad, then grew.
sad, and finally glad; his heart was filled with ghoulish glee—he caught
every blessed one he could find and preserved the reeking carcasses as
ghastly trophies of his sojourn in the land. They were of all sizes, ages
- and complexions, from the pallid infant to the ruddy sire and gory grand-
sire, and he smiled with joy (?) at the goodly array. This experience led
to the preparation of the following placard, which, with its accompanying
specimen (a fine, plump one),;-was posted, at his departure, on the wall
of the room he had occupied, and there left for the edification of the land-
lady. It is to be hoped that her feelings were not so severely injured as
to disable her from improving matters for the next comer,
Locality, , Conn.
Date, Aug. —, 1891.
Number of specimens, 39.
Classification.—Type, Arthropoda.
Class, Insecta.
Order, Hemiptera.
Suborder, Heteroptera.
Family, Acanthiide.
Genus, Acanthia.
Species, dectularia.
Scientific name, Acanthia lectularia.
Common name, BEDBUG. :
Habits.—This degraded bug inhabits (too many of ) the sleeping apart-
ments of the human species. Secréting itself by day, it sallies forth at
night to feast upon the blood of the unwary traveler and luckléss lodger.
208 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
Its appetite is always keen, and although it has been known to live a year
without food, it prefers to take nourishment oftener, a proceeding which
usually provokes the following, or similar
Remarks: Ow! Ugh! Whew!.... By Jove!.... Great Scott!...
Gosh darn it all!....
A true history of the above specimen.—xX. Y. Z.
New Foop-pLants of Parasa chloris.—While searching for larvee of
S. astylus on Huckleberry bushes in Bergen County, N. J., I found, Sept.
20, 1891, two larve of P. chloris on one leaf of the Swamp Blueberry—
Vaccinium corymbosum. Another I took from the downy, or different-
leaved Poplar—Populus heterophyllus, young plants of which grew near
the same swamp. These are not mentioned in Mr. Wm. Beutenmiiller’s
“‘ Catalogue of Lepidoptera, etc., with their Food-plants.’’ Another larva
of Parasa chioris fed on Wild Cherry. Still another of the same genus,
if not species, I found on Black Willow—Salia nigra. The latter larva
had orange stripes and fleshy tubercles in the place of the usual red mark-
ings. It was parasitized and subsequently died. Strangest of all was the
behavior of these larve in the breeding-cage, in which I also had some
of Limacodes scapha feeding on Bayberry—Myrica cerifera, and another
to me, unknown larva, on White Birch. In turn, P. ch/oris would feed
on the plants they were found on, and again they remained for days on
the other plants of the breeding-cage, feeding and thriving thereon. One
has now been feeding eleven days, two pupated on the underside of leaves
and two died of parasites. Was it not strange that they should go alter-
nately on Downy Poplar, Wild Cherry, Bayberry, White Birch, Black
Willow and Swamp Willow? I had them in a large glass-jar on my office
desk, where I watched them by day and night. Downy Poplar is likewise
known as Eastern Cottonwood.—RICHARD E. Kunze, M.D.
THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS.—“‘A beetle cannot fly with its elytra removed.”
F. H. Wenham, Aerial Locomotion, Smithsonian Report 1889, p. 318.
A few days ago along a sunny river-bank I found Cicindela hirticollis
abundant. Examples were taken and the elytra removed; every one flew
away instantly, on being released, with a speed that defied the eye to
follow.
“Insects are killed quickly by putting them into a bottle containing
lumps of cyanide of potassium covered by plaster of Paris.’”’ So every
body says. To this I note three exceptional cases. One June day I hap-
pened to be collecting where many species of Phalzenidz were abundant.
Examples of several species taken were all killed quickly in my cyanide —
bottle except one, that of Corycia vestaliata (sex not noted). To my
surprise it was found some time after its imprisonment alive and struggling
to escape. To test the matter other moths were put into the bottle, all
of which were quickly overcome, but C. vestadiata still lingered, having
withstood the fumes more than an hour.
The second instance is similar; the species was Caberodes confusaria.
It was active more than thirty minutes by the watch, and, to make it sure,
-- C
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 209
the prisoner was resisting death, contrary to all reason, crickets, grass-
hoppers, wasps, moths and butterflies introduced to the same space, all
responded as they should. The third case occurred a few weeks since
the same species as the preceding with similar behavior.
Have others observed similar behavior by any insect? What explana-
tion occurs to any one?—D. S. KELLICOTT.
Danais archippus.—Sunday, September 6th, present year, I went after
Catocala. It was a showery day and did not go beyond our suburbs.
Only one specimen was seen in a fine grove, but not, taken. While ex-
amining trees, a boy, who stood watching me, called my attention to a
Danaid circling overhead in a near-by place. Presently it flew and set-
tled on the twig of a dead branch on one of the lowermost limbs of an
Acer rubra. \ told the boy to watch it for me, which he did, and inform
me of its movements. A thunderstorm could be heard at a distance. It
was about 1 p.M., and on its approach the Danaid took refuge in the foliage
of a Liquidambar. That maple had only a very few scattered red leaves
among its foliage, and the insect hung on that branch exactly half an hour
until aroused by thunder.—RIcHARD E. Kunze, M.D.
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: 1st, The number of speci-
mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta-
tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, Academy Natural
Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
_ Insects have been named for F. L. Harvey, H. C. Denslow, J. H. Bom-
berger, C. P. Gillette.
Entomological Literature.
THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
pt. 3, 1891.—On a new species of Prothe, by Philip Crowley (illustrated).
Notes on the Orthopterous family Mecopodide, by W. F. Kirby. Note
on Siphonophora artocarpi Westw., by J. O. Westwood. On the South
American species of Diabrotica, pt. 2, by Chas. J. Gahan.
BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA: pt. 94, July, 1891.—Coleoptera: vol.
ii, pt. 1, by D. Sharp, pl. 11; vol. iv, pt. 2, by G. C. Champion, pp. 257-
314, pl. 11; vol. vi, pt. 1, suppl., by M. Jacoby, pp. 265-272. Lepidoptera-
Heterocera, by H. Druce, vol. i, pls. 28, 29; vol. ii, pp. 1-5, pt. 95, Sep-
tember, 1891. Coleoptera: vol. ii, pt. 1, by D. Sharp, pp. 385-432; vol.
__ iv, pt. 2, by G. C. Champion, pls. 12, 13; vol. vi, pt. 1, suppl., by M.
_ Jacoby, pl. 41. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, by H. Druce, vol. i, pls. 40, 41.
210 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
JOURNAL OF THE BomBAy NATURAL History Society vol. vi,
—The Butterflies of the Central Provinces, pt. 4, by J. A. B. Agrict ”
Entomology, by E. C. Coates. The Locust of North-western India
(Acridium peregrinum) with plate, by E. C. Coates. )
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, vol.
xviii, Nos. 2 and 3.—Notes on some Noctuidz, with Descriptions of New
Genera and Species, by John B. Smith. On the Species of Trypoxylon
Inhabiting America North of Mexico, by Wm. J. Fox. A Revision of
‘the Species of Zuclea, Parasa and Packardia, with Notes on Adoneta,
Monoleuca and Varina ornata Neum., by H. G. Dyar. Revis of the
Donaciz of Boreal America, by C. W. Leng. Revision of the Genera and
Species of Anthonomini Inhabiting North America, by W. G. Dietz, M. D.
LEPIDOPTERA InpicA, by F. Moore, F. Z. S , pt. 7.+This contains de-
scriptions of the remainder of the Eupleeinz a the beginning i a
Satyrinz, with seven colored plates and about forty figures.
West AMERICAN SCIENTIST, September, 1891.—New Bombylidae of
the group Paracosmus, by D. W. Coquillett. Amphicosmus nov. gen.
A. elegansn. sp. Metacosmus nov. gén.; M. exilisn sp. acosmus
insolens n. sp. October, 1891, Revision of the Bombylid Genus Apha-
éantus. An interesting and useful table for the determination of the spe-
cies is given and the following new species in the genus described: A.
varius, A. tardus, A. marcidus, ‘A. mixtus, A. interruptus, A. scriptus,
A. desertus, A, capax, A. abnormis, A. fumidus, A. brevistylus.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE, 4€ Annee, No. 1, Octo-
ber, 1891.—The Hymenopterocecids of the Willow, by Dr. H: Fockeu.
STUDI DELLA REGIA STAZIONE DI ENTOMOLOGIA AGRARIA DI FIRENZE,
1891.—April, 15, New Insecticide Emulsions, by A. Targioni-Tozzetti and
Dr. G. del Guercio. June 28, Experiments undertaken to determine the
endurance of young vegetables against the action of various mixed in-
secticides, id. July 16, On the resistance to insecticides by the tender
shoots and fruits of the Appie, Pear, Plum, Peach, Lemon and Celastrus
in the struggle against noxious Lepidoptera and Aphids, id.
L’AUXILIARE DE L’APICULTEUR, September, 1891, Amiens.—General
ideas on the nature and physiology of the Bee, by Abbe Ulivi. esi
parasites on the front of the head of bees, by A. Teynac.
ANALES DE LA SOCIEDAD CIENTIFICA ARGENTINA, XXXii, 3, September,
1891.—Dipterologia Argentina (Syrphidz), continued,* by F. L. sais
zaga.
ANIMALI ED INSETTI DEL TABACCO IN ERBA E DEL TApacéoGeeeo ur
Ad. Targioni-Tozzetti, Direttore della R. Stanzione di Entomologia
Agraria di Firenze. Firenze, Roma, tae Pp. Ixiv, 347, ‘Too text figures,
3 lithographic plates. | ae
* Contains new species other than North American,
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 211
ANNALI DEL Museo Civico pi STORIA NATURALE DI GENOVA, Serie
2, vii, 1889-90.—Expedition to Assab on the Red Sea of G. Doria and O.
Beccari in the “‘ Esploratore”’ from Nov. 16, 1879, to February 26th;* iv.
Coleoptera, by R. Gestro. Expedition of Leonardo Fea in Burmah and
the neighboring region; xv. First studies on Cicindela,* by R. Gestro;
xvi. On some Carabidz,*t by H. W. Bates; xvii. List of the Phytopha-
gous Coleoptera,*f by M. Jacoby; xx. Formicidz, by C. Emery, 2 plates;
xxi. Arachnida Arthrogastri, by T. Thorell, 1 pl.; xxii. Aradidz, by E.
- Bergroth, 1 plate. On some Cetonids collected by Dr. Elio Modigliani on
the west coast of Sumatra,* by R. Gestro. Description of new species
of Histeridz,* by J. Schmidt. Enumeration of the Haliplidz, Dytiscidze
and Gyrinidz, collected by Prof. L. Balzan in South America,* by M.
Regimbart. New or little-known Lycidze from the Museo Civico di Ge-
nova,* second memoir, first part, by J. Bourgeois. List of the Phyto-
phagous Coleoptera collected by Signor Modigliani at Nias and Sumatra,
with descriptions of the new species,*t by M. Jacoby. Three new Sil-
phidz from Italy,* by E. Reitter. On some Italian cave-dwelling Myri-
apoda collected by Sig. A. Vacca and R. Barberi,* by R. Latzel. On
some Formicide of the Palaearctic fauna,* by C. Emery. Odonata of
Sumatra, comprising the species collected at Pulo Nias by Dr. E. Modig-
liani,*¢ by E. de Selys-Longchamps—viii. 1889-90, Studies on Malaysian
and Papuan Spiders: Part iv. Spiders of Indo-Malaysia collected by O.
Beccari, G. Doria, H. Forbes, J. G. H. Kinberg and others,*f by T.
Thoréll.—ix. 1889-90, Res Ligusticze; xi. Contributions to our knowledge
of the Chilopoda of Liguria,* by R. I. Pocock. Three new species of
Zephronia from the Oriental region,* id. Descriptions of two new species
of Malachiidz,* by E. Abeille_de Perrin. Expedition of Leonardo Fea
in Burmah and the surrounding region: xxiii. Nitidulide,* by A. Grou-
velle. Description of a new species of Cucujid belonging to the Museo
Civico di Genova,* id. Revision of the Pseudoscorpions of the basins
of the Parana and Paraguay Rivers in South America, by L. Balzan;*t 5
plates. Hymenoptera of Syria collected by Augusto Medana, Italian
Consul at Tripoli in Syria, with descriptions of some new species,* by P.
Magretti.
REVUE SCIENTIFIQUE DU BOURBONNAIS, etc., iv, 10, October, 1891.—
The fossil insects of Commentry, by E. Olivier; 1 plate.
Le NATURALISTE (Paris), Oct: 15, 1891.—Descriptions of new Lepid-
optera,* by P. Dognin. Description of the caterpillar of Spilodes verti-
calis L., by P. Chretien.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN (Berlin), xvii, 20, October, 1891.—
Eight new Aeschnide, by Dr. F. Karsch; Aeschna furcifera, Mexico, n.
sp. Holomelia mirabilis, a curiosity among Coleoptera,*+ by E. Brenske.
The Erichsonian coleopterous genera Monotropus and Lasiopsis, id. The
genus Perissoneura, by R. MacLachlan.
* Contains new species other than North American. | + Contains new genera.
212 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December,
BIOLOGISCHES CENTRALBLATT (Erlangen), Oct. 15, 1891. —On S. Ex-
ner’s physiology of the facetted eyes in crabs and insects, by Herr Z
TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR ENTOMOLOGIE (The Hague), xxxiii, 3, 4, 1890.- es
Catalogue of the Aranez found in Holland, second supplement, by A’
W. M. Van Hasselt. List of the Lepidoptera collected by Mr. H. B.
Van Rhijn in Sumatra,* by P. C. T. Snellen. Some new Pediculini,* by
E. Piaget; 3 plates. Remark on Phyllopteryx elongata Snell., by C.
Ritsema Cz. Addition to the ‘‘ Comparative Studies on Ant Guests and
Termite Guests,”’ by E. Wasmann. Remarks on Lepidoptera trom the
island of Tanah-Djampea near Celebes,* by P. C. T. Snellen; 1 plate.
Remarks on Lepidoptera from the island of Belitoeng [near Sumatra],*
id.; 1 plate. Apogonia destructor n. sp., by Dr. H. Bos; 2 plates. Some
remarks on a study by Mr. David Sharp on the structure of the proster-
num in the Rhynchophoride, by E. Everts; 1 plate. List of the spinners
[Arachnids] collected by Dr. A. M. J. Bolsius at Soemenep in ae island
of Madura, by Dr. A. W. M. Van Hasselt.
HIsTOIRE PHYSIQUE, NATURELLE ET POLITIQUE DE MADAGASCAR,
publiee par Alfred Grandidier. Vol. xxii, Histoire Naturelle des Cole-
opteres, par M. Kunckel d’Herculais. Tome II—Atlas, 2e Partie. Paris,
1890; plates 26-54. '
ENTOMOLOGISKE MEDDELELSER (Copenhagen), Tredie Bind, 1, 2, ’91.
—Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Denmark (Staphylinide, Part III), by
F. Meinert. Aembex rostrata, its life and instincts, by C. Wesenberg-
Lund. Notes on the entomological fauna of Greenland, by W. Lundbeck.
On Jéalia Latr.,* by H. Borries. Pediculus humanus L., and its mouth-
parts, by F. Meinert; 1 plate. Review of the Danish Chrysididz, by H.
Borries.
BIBLIOTHECA ZOOLOGICA (Cassel), viii, 1, 1891. Researches on mimicry
as a basis for a natural system of Papilionide, by Dr. E. Hasse (to be
continued). ix, 1891. Contributions to the knowledge of the Chilopods —
(glands, coxal organs, vascular system and visceral nerve system), by,
Dr. C. Herbst; 5 pial
Doings of Societies.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SocIETY OF WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 1891.—The
following persons were elected members of the Society: E. W. Doran,
A. G. Nasius, F. C. Test. W. T. Swingle, active members; H. E. Weed,
W. H. Harrington, E. A. Popenoe, corresponding members. —
Mr. Heidemand exhibited some interesting new species of Capsidz
taken the past season on Red Cedar, Willow and Linden.
* Contains new species other than North American.
1891. | ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 213
Mr. Ulke exhibited and remarked on the habits of a number of rare or
new aquatic Coleoptera found by him the past Summer in the Blue Ridge
Mountains, near Monterey, Md.
Mr. Ulke also exhibited a pale larviform female of a speties of Phen-
godes which he found abundantly in the Blue Ridge Mountains, no males,
however, being discovered. The species was thought, by Prof. Riley, to
be PA. daticollis, and the relative abundance of the males and females of
Phengodes was discussed by Riley and others.
Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of Emphylus americanus taken by
H. H. Hubbard and himself in a colony of Formica sanguinea near Alta,
Utah, at an elevation of about gooo feet.
Mr. Ashmead read a paper on the peculiar Chalcid genus Meditobia
- Westw., in which he discussed (1) its synonymy with Anthophorabia
Newport, concluding that M/e/itobia should take precedence; (2) its struc-
ture and position in a classificatory system, deciding that it belongs to the
subfamily Tetrastichinzee and not with the Elachistine, where it is now
placed; and (3) its habits, recording the rearing of MZ. megachilis Pack.
from Megachile centuncularis Linn., M. pelopei Ashm. from Celopeus
cementaria in Kansas by Prof. Popenoe and in Florida by himself; and a
new species which he described as MV. chalybii, bred from the cells of
Chalybeon ceruleum taken in Maryland.
Discussed by Messrs. Howard, Theo. Gill, Riley, Schwarz and others.
Dr. Marx presented a paper entitled ‘‘ Preliminary Notes on the Classi-
fication of the Ixodidz,’’ in which he discussed the views of previous
authors on the classification of these parasites and concluded to accept
with some modification the scheme of Koch as follows: Order, Acari;
Suborder, Cynorhastes; Tribe I, Cetocari with families, Argasidze and
Eschetorephalidez ; Tribe II, Antiocari with families Hzmelastaride,
Ixodidz and Rhipistomide.
The paper also included generic synopses of the genera of the several
families. The scheme differs from Koch’s in adding one new family, and
suppressing one genus and adding three new ones. The paper was dis-
cussed by Prof. Gill and others.
Mr. Howard read a note on the ‘‘ Appearance of Mealy Bugs parasitized
by Leptomastix,’’ in which he referred to the habits of the species of this
Encytrid genus of Chalcid parasites, and said that his attention had been
recently called by Miss Sullivan to the curious fact that Mealy Bugs para-
sitized by Z. dactylopii almost entirely lose their waxy secretion and swell
up into yellow objects closely resembling dipterous puparia, which resem-
blance is heightened by the fact that the parasite in issuing cuts free a cap
at the end of the scale just as the Dipterous insect forces off the end of
its puparium. Discussed my Messrs. Riley, Ashmead and Howard.
Prof. Fernow gave a report on the results in Europe of the use of the
new insect lime against Psi/ura monacha the use of which he stated had
been a perfect success. He described the process of quarantining infested
areas by surrounding them with poles which are then smeared with the
214 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Decent
lime, and also various machines used to apply the diinie to thecal cl
by Prof. Riley and others. ; ie
Prof. Riley presented a paper entitled “‘A New Herbarium Pes
which he described the transformations and habits of a small Geomett
moth (Carphonera pelearia nov. gen. et sp.) which, during the last tw
years, has seriously infested and damaged the herbarium specimens in the
Botanical Division of the Agricultural Department. These larvae were
first noted on plants from the southwest United States, and have confined ~
their work in the main to plants from that section, but are also spreading
to eastern plants. A list of the particularly infested plants furnished by
Mr. Dewey, of the Botanical Division, was given. A description of the
insect, which is a new species and will require a new genus for its recep-
tion, was given, and figures of all stages were exhibited. Various means |
tor the control of this pest were given (see “Insect Life,” iv, Nos. 3and 4).
Prof. Riley gave some additional notes on Panch/ora viridis, in which
he referred to the receipt of two additional specimens, one from-Gustave — ;
Gutenberg, of Pittsburg, and the other from Carl Gissler, of Brooklyn.
The first of these, shortly after capture, gave birth to a number of living
young and afterwards extruded an imperfect egg-cluster including a num- ea
ber of unhatched eggs; and the other, on dissection, was found to contain aaa
a perfect egg-cluster with the young nearly mature and ready to emerge.
This egg-cluster, which differs widely from that of the other roaches, was
described and a figure of it exhibited. -
Prof. Riley described the modifications of the abdomen in Panchlora
which afforded the space necessary for the escape and pre-natal Sar /
ment of the young within the abdomen.
The enveloping egg-sac of other roaches was in this species reduced to
a scarcely discernible pellicle, which did not cover the eggs entire, but _
was limited to the inner or concave half of the egg-mass (see “Insect
Life,’’ iv, Nos. 3 and 4).
Po Das fg
C. L. MARLATT, Recording Secretary. rs ‘Sa
ERRATA.—Vol. II.
Page 177, 7th line from bottom, for inseption read inspection.
‘* 180, 5th line from top, for do read no.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws for November was mailed October 29, 1891.
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